New Braunfels council denies resident request for permit parking on South Academy and Cross Street

New Braunfels City Council denied a resident petition to establish a new parking-by-permit area on South Academy Avenue and West Cross Street after staff recommended against the request and several council members expressed concern about creating a piecemeal, neighborhood-by-neighborhood policy.

The petition covered a contiguous block south of downtown and — according to city staff — met the ordinance's technical requirements, including a neighborhood petition signed by two-thirds of property owners. Gary Ford, director of transportation and capital improvements and city engineer, told council the application met the code thresholds but said staff ultimately "does not recommend the requested parking by permit area." He cited concerns about enforcement burden, displacement of parking into adjacent neighborhoods and the need for a coordinated, citywide approach backed by the downtown parking study.

Ford told the council the city's existing permit program dates to 2001 and was largely aimed at river- and recreation-oriented areas; the petition before council was, he said, one of the first in an area immediately adjacent to downtown. Ford said the Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board had recommended a 2-hour parking compromise on a 3–2 vote, and staff now favors a multi-department review rather than immediate approval.

Neighbors who live on Academy and Cross urged council to approve the permit area. Resident Carol Wheeler told the council it "makes a lot of sense to me that city council might be as generous with us as residents as they've been to so many others who've requested permit parking." Rob Snow, who said he has lived downtown since 1997, said the problem "is causing problems" such as long-term employee parking, trash and late-night noise. Melissa Snow, another resident, appealed to public-safety concerns and asked council to act "for the safety and well-being of our families, our neighbors, and for the public before something tragic happens."

Business owners and downtown stakeholders opposed immediate approval. The manager of Weisatch (We Satch/Weisatch) said the restaurant already provides and purchases parking near the site and warned that restricting nearby public street parking could worsen parking for local businesses. The restaurant's manager, Susie Russell, said they "have moved all of our employees" to an off-site lot and were trying "to be a good neighbor."

Council discussion focused on policy implications. Mayor Pro Tem Campos said he was sympathetic to neighbors' inconvenience but described public streets as a citywide resource and said, "I am not a fan of, parking by permit at all." Several council members supported a comprehensive update to the city's 2001 parking-by-permit process rather than approving a single, small zone adjacent to downtown.

Council member Edwards moved to deny the petition; Mayor Pro Tem Campos seconded. Council member Lebowski recused herself because she lives in the neighborhood; the motion carried unanimously among the voting members present.

Council members and staff indicated next steps would include a broader review of parking policy, implementation of recommendations from the recent downtown parking study and possible future consideration of targeted tools such as employee parking permits, paid parking, third-party enforcement and coordinated private-public agreements for off-street parking.

Votes at a glance: the motion to deny the parking-by-permit request was moved by Council member Edwards, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Campos; vote recorded as: Mayor Neil Leonards — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Campos — yes; Council member Willis — yes; Council member Edwards — yes; Council member Spradley — yes; Council member Lebowski — recused. Outcome: application denied (motion carries).