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Parking commission plans rollout of paid parking, proposes seven 15‑minute spaces on Park Street
Summary
Commissioners discussed a paid-parking rollout, merchant and public communications, and a proposal to add seven 15‑minute spots on Park Street; staff said enforcement, signage, and a phased trial period will accompany changes.
The New Canaan Parking Commission on June 16 reviewed staff plans for implementing paid parking downtown, adding short‑term 15‑minute spaces, and a communications program for merchants and residents.
Commission staff said they plan to convert several Elm Street curb spaces to paid parking as part of the broader program and to designate seven new 15‑minute spaces along Park Street—near CVS, the toy store and other short‑visit merchants—to serve quick errands. Parking staff said concentrating the 15‑minute spaces in one block makes enforcement simpler. "It gives us 7 spaces, which is more than what you probably would have got if you were to, put them on Elm Street," a staff member said in the discussion.
The commission also discussed the effect of the Park Street and Playhouse lot redesign on free parking supply. Staff reported that converting some spots on Elm Street to paid spaces and reconfiguring other lots would still leave a net gain of roughly 36 free spaces available elsewhere in town, though the commission cautioned that the change will alter where free spaces are located and that user behavior will take time to adjust.
Commissioners and staff outlined a multi‑element communications plan: coordinated merchant outreach, targeted signage (including lot‑level signage indicating free two‑hour parking where applicable), QR codes merchants could hand out, a downtown kiosk or map for visitors, and the use of the sidewalk sale and Playhouse events for early outreach. Staff also proposed a rule that commuter/railroad lots open to the public after a morning cutoff (staff suggested 10:30 a.m.) to increase daytime free supply for shoppers.
Operational questions remain. Staff said they are finalizing credit‑card processing arrangements and that the town is not seeking the program as a revenue generator: "this is not a revenue, producing endeavor," a staff member said, adding the goal is to break even after processing fees. The timing target is to have machines and initial signage in place in August, with a phased, months‑long observation period after launch; staff warned that "nimble" adjustments could take six weeks to a year before final conclusions are drawn.
The commission also discussed enforcement logistics: grouping 15‑minute spaces to simplify monitoring, placing meters so they are visible, and ensuring signage makes post‑morning commuter permissions clear. Staff said they would coordinate merchant-facing materials so businesses can act as ambassadors rather than adversaries when the rules change.
No formal vote was taken on rates or exact machine placement; staff said they will proceed with vendor and signage decisions and keep the commission and merchants informed. The commission asked staff to bring finalized processing‑cost estimates and a communications timeline to the next meeting for review.
