Oshkosh committee removes 2-hour limit on Washington Street for downtown YMCA parking

The Oshkosh Transportation Committee voted to remove a two-hour on-street parking restriction on the stretch of Washington Street between Broad Street and Court Street to help downtown YMCA members and staff, the committee said at its meeting. Committee members voted by roll call in favor of the change. Jeff Schneider, president and CEO of the downtown YMCA, told the committee the YMCA has outgrown its lot and is working on a parking expansion that is at least a year away. “I have parked on Washington Street for the last five years, and this year I got a parking ticket,” Schneider said, describing how enforcement recently began after years of informal parking by members. He said the YMCA has secured a limited number of off-street spaces with adjacent property owners and 15 spots in a county lot but needs additional daytime parking in the near term for staff and members. The committee’s approval removes the two-hour restriction on the identified block; because altering on-street restrictions is an ordinance action, the recommendation will go to the Common Council for formal readings and vote. The meeting record shows a unanimous committee roll-call in favor (Armstrong: aye; Merrick: aye; Hartman: aye; Nichols: aye; Martin: aye). The YMCA said it prefers a permanent change but would accept a temporary removal while it completes a certified survey map and other steps needed to expand its lots. The committee discussed the item’s likely limited impact on adjacent property owners; staff reported the Howard building’s operators and the owner of an adjacent house indicated no objection. The committee also noted historical reasons for the two-hour restriction, including prior businesses near that block that had greater short-term parking needs. Next steps: the committee recommendation will be transmitted to the Oshkosh Common Council; any ordinance change will require the council’s statutory two readings before taking effect.