Cheyenne committee backs repeal of paid on‑street parking ordinance after broad downtown opposition

The City of Cheyenne Public Services Committee on Feb. 18 voted to recommend repeal of an ordinance establishing paid on‑street parking districts, after several downtown property owners and business operators urged the council to reverse the policy.

The motion to seek repeal was introduced by Councilwoman Michelle Aldridge (Ward 3) and seconded by Councilman White; the committee approved the recommendation by voice vote for placement on the governing body's Monday agenda.

The measure would remove the municipal code provisions creating the paid on‑street parking districts program and abrogate any on‑street parking district designated by council resolution. Aldridge said the ordinance "undoes the parking zones and fines that were established in December by the council" and removes the "block face" requirement that a vehicle be moved one block face every two hours to avoid a ticket.

Downtown property owners and business operators who spoke at the committee meeting said the ordinance had hurt foot traffic and confused customers. "I'm here to speak today in favor of repealing the ordinance for on street paid parking," said Sam Galiotis, identifying himself as a downtown property owner and businessman. He told the committee the block‑face rule was a frequent source of complaints: "People have been receiving tickets for years now, and they don't know why."

Rob Dickerson, who said he represents property owners affiliated with 1720 Cary Avenue (the Boyd Building), told the committee that "we need the government to stop putting up barriers to doing business and start opening doors for us to do business." He described long investment in downtown properties and said the paid parking program added risk for small proprietors.

Council members said they had heard similar concerns from longtime downtown investors and customers, including elderly residents who struggle with phone apps used to pay for parking. "Having a healthy and vibrant downtown has always been important to me," Councilman White said, describing his support for repealing the ordinance after conversations with affected business owners. Councilwoman Aldridge said the repeal was not proposed to raise revenue and that the city was "willing to go back to the drawing board and to work with the downtown business owners." Councilman Moody said he was a cosponsor and called the repeal a step toward limited government and a more business‑friendly approach.

Public comments at the meeting also urged the city to address parking infrastructure and the municipal parking garage. Several speakers encouraged a new collaborative process to develop alternatives, such as improvements to the Spyker Garage and other parking management measures, before pursuing any future paid on‑street system.

The committee's recommendation will appear on the City Council agenda for final action. The motion passed by voice vote at the committee; the recommendation will be forwarded to the governing body for consideration on Monday night.