Committee debates micromobility definitions, right-of-way permits and enforcement dates for new parking rules

Members of Carmel’s Land Use and Special Studies Committee spent the majority of their June 4 meeting reviewing a draft right-of-way and parking ordinance that adds micromobility definitions, sets short-term permit rules for parking or staging on multiuse paths and sidewalks, and identifies the Department of Engineering as the issuing authority for the permits.

Sergei, the ordinance drafter, said he added definitions for bicycles and micromobility and solicited technical input from a transportation expert, David Lil Jong. Sergei told the committee, “class 1 and class 2 and class 3 ebikes are considered bicycle under state law. So I already see that that language needs to be changed.” He said the draft emphasizes regulating maximum pedal-assisted speed (20 miles per hour) rather than relying on class labels for enforcement, because officers and the public may not be able to distinguish e-bike classes by sight.

The committee discussed whether class 3 e-bikes — which can reach higher speeds — should be included in the bicycle definition or handled separately in a later micromobility ordinance. Sergei said the current draft is foundational and that a standalone micromobility ordinance will follow for more detailed regulation.

On parking and right-of-way permitting, staff proposed a short-term permit structure intended for non-disturbing uses (landscaping deliveries, temporary vendors, small events) rather than major construction. The draft sets per-day permit fees and a caps schedule; committee discussion recorded the draft language as: one-day permit, $150; two days, $200; three days, $200; each additional day $100 up to seven days. Committee members debated whether three days was sufficient and agreed the rule should not be pegged to major disturbance rules reserved for a full right-of-way permit. The drafter said permitting for longer staging or construction will be handled through the full right-of-way permit process, with bonding and other construction requirements applied there rather than to short-term parking permits.

Members also discussed enforcement details. The draft includes a tiered fine structure for failing to display or obtain a required permit. The presenter read the draft penalty schedule aloud: “first, $200; second, $250; and then the third is a big one, 20 500, plus any cost of subsequent offenses within same calendar year,” and noted police enforcement would generally track offenses by plate or by person. Committee members flagged the third figure as unclear on the record and asked staff to confirm the intended amount and enforcement mechanics with police.

Other operational items discussed included: designating the Department of Engineering as the permitting authority for the new short-term permits (rather than the Police Department); clarifying that portions of the Monon Greenway and other multiuse path sections are within scope; a BPW (Board of Public Works) signoff requirement if a roadway closure is necessary; and a proposal to coordinate an online permit portal so all permits use a single application interface.

Committee members asked staff to coordinate with engineering staff (Brad) and the police department to confirm enforcement and backend permit procedures and to return with a recommended enforcement start date. The committee discussed target implementation windows ranging from October 1 to January 1 and agreed to an “as soon as possible, no later than January 1” deadline for rollout, with the drafter and engineering to confirm feasibility. The committee agreed to keep the draft in committee while staff confirms those technical details.