Roswell holds public input session on downtown parking; businesses and residents sharply divided

The City of Roswell opened a public input session Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, on future parking policies for downtown Canton Street, nearby parks and city-owned lots as council members sought ideas ahead of a leadership meeting and a planned public review of proposed policy options.

The session gave business owners two-minute speaking slots and residents five minutes to comment. Council Member Alan Sells, who had met with downtown business leaders in December, introduced the opportunity and proposed the two-minute limit for business speakers so owners could present concise feedback. Mayor Kurt Wilson and other council members repeatedly said the meeting was an early listening step, not a vote on policy.

Why it matters: downtown parking is a central issue for Roswell’s economy. Business owners said paid parking will reduce patronage and hurt restaurants that depend on short-turn customers and employees who need nearby spots. Residents said they want protections—resident stickers, exemptions for City Hall and parks, and clearer enforcement—so that any paid program does not unduly burden longtime residents or city operations.

Business leaders who spoke said they were not consulted earlier and asked council to pause any sweeping paid-parking plan. David Bailey, owner of Naylor Hall on Canton Street, said he had never been asked for input on street closings or changes and warned that paid parking could push customers and businesses to neighboring cities. Jenna Ronowitz of 1920 Tavern said infrastructure behind Canton Street has not been updated in a decade and argued the city should build promised parking decks before charging for curb or lot parking.

Other business representatives urged targeted, strategic approaches rather than an all-or-nothing paid-parking scheme. A business coalition member said a range of options exists between universally free parking and universally paid parking and that the city should pursue a solution that helps local businesses draw customers rather than deter them.

Residents raised several recurring themes. Some supported resident-only permits for street and park parking and argued City Hall parking should remain free. One resident suggested a system that waives fines for residents who show proof of residency at City Hall. Several residents and business owners questioned revenue projections used in the city’s budgeting documents, saying the city’s assumption that paid parking could bring about $2.2 million in revenue was unrealistic without clearer usage data and implementation details.

Public-safety and employee concerns also surfaced. Multiple speakers raised the issue of employees who work late shifts and rely on nearby free parking for security; they asked whether employee parking would be subsidized or otherwise addressed. Older residents said app-based payment systems would pose a barrier and asked for simpler options and staff or volunteer assistance.

Council response and next steps: council members said leadership will discuss parking further at a council leadership meeting next week. The city intends to return a formal policy proposal to a future public meeting for comment before any ordinance or fee schedule is adopted. Alan Sells’ procedural motion to allow Roswell business owners two-minute speaking turns was accepted during the meeting for that listening session.

The city did not adopt any paid-parking policy at Monday’s meeting; staff and council said they will present concrete policy language and impact estimates at a later public session so residents and business owners can comment on specific proposals.