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Council adopts downtown parking action plan with edits on shared-parking language and expedited safety steps
Summary
The Dalles City Council adopted the downtown parking management strategy action plan with a small wording change to emphasize private-to-private shared-parking agreements and agreed to accelerate safety-related lighting work to a 0-12 month timeframe; the plan passed unanimously.
The Dalles City Council on March 10 adopted the city's downtown parking management strategy action plan with a single textual amendment to encourage private shared-parking arrangements and a commitment to move certain safety improvements sooner.
Joshua Chandler of the community development department presented the plan and said it remained largely unchanged from earlier drafts. He was joined by Owen Roncali of Rick Williams Consulting, who answered questions about shared-parking agreements and implementation strategies. "The public sector can play a role of facilitator," Roncali said, describing how private-to-private arrangements often begin informally and sometimes evolve into lease agreements.
Councilor Ring proposed adjusting language in the implementation matrix (page 17, PM-5) to read "obtain or foster agreements from and between downtown businesses" to make clear that many shared-parking arrangements are private-to-private. Chandler and Roncali agreed the wording change was minor and appropriate. Councilors also discussed lighting and signage in public off-street lots; Councilor Runyon and Councilor McLaughlin urged moving safety and lighting assessments earlier on the timeline.
Staff agreed to move PM-6 (assessing public off-street parking safety standards, including lighting) into a 0-12 month timeframe, rather than the previously listed mid-term window, and to coordinate with the PUD and the Chamber of Commerce on outreach and potential cost-sharing. Chandler said staff has trimmed tree branches and will continue to evaluate lighting options and signage. He also noted First Street streetscaping and plaza projects may affect timing and opportunities for lighting improvements.
Councilor Ring moved to approve the parking action plan as amended; Councilor Richardson seconded. The council approved the plan by unanimous voice vote.
The adopted plan keeps the broader implementation timeline and prioritization intact while adopting the single language change clarifying shared-parking facilitation and committing staff to pursue lighting and outreach next year. Staff said council-triggered events (for example, new construction that increases downtown parking demand) could accelerate specific strategies.
