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Town staff propose switching Pennsylvania Avenue municipal lot to pay‑by‑app; commissioners weigh revenue, accessibility
Summary
Town staff presented a proposal to convert the long‑free Pennsylvania Avenue municipal lot to mobile‑pay parking (ParkMobile), keeping 15‑minute and handicap spaces free, and estimated the change could produce roughly $38,000–$50,000 annually depending on usage.
Town staff asked commissioners to begin discussion on converting the Pennsylvania Avenue municipal lot from free parking to paid parking using a mobile‑payment system. The lot — the only free public lot in the downtown core — currently was described in the meeting as having four rows with a mix of 2‑hour, 15‑minute and handicap spaces.
Staff presented a proposed configuration that would convert the 2‑hour spaces to ParkMobile‑only paid parking, keep the short‑term 15‑minute stalls near storefronts (staff proposed reducing those from 12 to 6), and retain the three handicap spaces as free. Parking hours would remain Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., with the 2‑hour time limit intact. The staff speaker said the lot is frequently full and estimated annual revenue potential “about $50,000” at full occupancy and roughly $38,000 if buy‑in were 75 percent.
Town enforcement staff and the police chief discussed practical enforcement methods. ParkMobile zones would be policed by the town’s parking monitors; the town currently uses mobile enforcement and has older meters in other locations. The chief noted that ParkMobile systems can be configured so zone rules limit parking to two hours per vehicle per day, reducing repeated short‑moves used to evade time limits. He and staff also noted that disabled parking rules would continue to allow extended stays when a valid placard is used.
Commissioners expressed concern about equity, signage, and public acceptance; staff recommended a pilot approach leaving 15‑minute stalls free and signing the lot clearly as ParkMobile only. Commissioners asked staff to continue the discussion during the budget process and to return with detailed enforcement, signage plans, and a revenue estimate based on more traffic counts. No action or vote was taken at the work session.
Ending: Staff will return with a refined pilot plan for Pennsylvania Avenue that includes clear signage proposals, enforcement approach, and a projected revenue estimate before any conversion is implemented.
