Commission refers Pine Street loading-zone request to staff and approves alley parking rule change

The Traffic and Parking Commission on March 17, 2025, referred a request for a 15-minute loading or pick-up/drop-off zone on the 100 block of Pine Street to staff for study, approved removing a no-parking sign on South Maple Avenue, and voted to change an alley regulation from "no stopping or standing" to "no parking."

Alder Johnson presented the request to remove a dated "no parking from here to corner" sign near 301–305 South Maple Avenue; staff said the sign removal is routine and will be carried out. "No. This is something a resident reached out [about]," Alder Johnson said. "There's a no parking near to corner. There used to be some equipment that was there, the equipment's no longer there, so they were just asking if that sign can be removed." The commission approved the sign removal by voice vote.

A separate request, submitted on behalf of a downtown business group, asked the commission to create a 15-minute loading zone on the 100 block of Pine Street in the area near the former Children's Museum and several small businesses. Staff told the commission the block was intentionally reconstructed as a pedestrian-friendly area with textured concrete and a 24-foot clearway; converting any portion into a formal pick-up/drop-off lane might require reconstruction. Staff recommended referring the request to a broader, staff-led study of downtown pick-up/drop-off zones that draws on the city's 2021 downtown review and the 2023 Desmond Parking Study. The commission voted to refer the Pine Street loading-zone request to staff for study.

The commission also considered a change to the alley west of Washington Street between Pine and Cherry streets. The parking division recommended changing a restriction that read "no stopping or standing" back to a standard "no parking" designation so short-term loading and unloading is permitted when drivers remain nearby. Tom, the city engineer, explained enforcement practice: vehicles temporarily loading and unloading in a no-parking alley are typically given more leeway than vehicles left unattended for long periods. After discussion the commission voted to change the alley sign from "no stopping or standing" to "no parking"; the transcript records a voice vote in favor.

Parking-division staff reported cuts to grant funding and strain on the division's budget. Staff said federal grant revenues used for enforcement overtime and equipment were reduced and that the division has largely exhausted its reserves. "We have exhausted all of our reserves. We have none left," a parking-division representative said, noting the division operates as an enterprise fund that currently covers operations from meter and permit revenue. Staff also described training 16 officers on radar and lidar speed detection devices and coordinating with state patrol inspectors for commercial motor vehicle enforcement on March 25.

Several commissioners and staff asked the downtown-study referral to include consideration of existing pickup/drop-off locations, loading activity patterns (deliveries and catering), and whether current alley rules or existing loading stalls meet business needs. No new meter removals or permanent parking reallocations were adopted at the meeting; staff noted parking revenue impacts would be considered in any final recommendation.