Council debates limiting Zone 1 parking permits and matching hours with Zone 2; staff to return with ordinance after trial plan

City staff and council members spent the longest portion of the work session debating proposed limits on residential on‑street parking permits in the city’s Zone 1 parking districts and whether to change permitted hours to match adjacent Zone 2 rules.

The proposal under review would cap the number of on‑street permits per dwelling in Zone 1 to reduce an identified oversupply of permits relative to available public parking and to address complaints from townhome HOAs. Staff presented mapping and point‑in‑time counts showing that in some neighborhoods permits issued for on‑street spaces exceeded public supply, and said that internal, HOA‑maintained parking courts provide additional private spaces in many developments.

Council questions focused on possible spillover into adjacent single‑family neighborhoods, enforcement, and the hours that define restricted periods. Staff said that Zone 2 parking districts already use an 8 p.m.–8 a.m. restriction and that multiple townhome HOAs asked staff to align Zone 1 hours with Zone 2. Staff also said the treasurer’s office tracks permit assignments by address and that automated license‑plate readers assist enforcement when crossing guards or parking officers are available.

Council direction and next steps: After extended discussion about whether to cap permits at two or three per property, and whether to change restricted hours, Council members agreed to an incremental approach. Staff was directed to prepare a proposal that would cap permits at three per dwelling for initial implementation, keep the 8 p.m.–8 a.m. restricted hours as proposed, and return the matter for formal adoption at a future council meeting. Staff also will expand the treasurer’s permit database to allow verification of permits per address and will undertake public outreach if council adopts the change.

What was not decided: The record shows no formal vote or ordinance adoption at this session. Councilmembers asked staff to re‑run the permit/space math for a three‑permit cap and to bring the ordinance and public notice plan back for consideration.

Quotations in context: “This solution will prevent that from happening because they will have to only have 2 on‑street parking passes,” a staff presenter said when explaining the effect of a two‑permit cap; Councilmembers ultimately signaled they would try three permits initially and revisit results after implementation.

Outcome: Staff will return with an ordinance, revised calculations for a three‑permit cap, and implementation details and outreach for council consideration.