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Oakdale council approves first reading of updated downtown parking rules; paid parking not imminent
Summary
Council accepted amendments to Oakdale Municipal Code to give staff authority to manage downtown parking time limits and enforcement; consultant Dixon Resources reported study findings of underutilized spaces and recommended tools including paid parking as a future option, but city staff said they do not plan to implement paid parking now.
The Oakdale City Council voted 5-0 at a regular meeting to approve amendments to Articles 1, 5, 6 and 8 of Chapter 18 of the Oakdale Municipal Code that update downtown parking-management authority and create a clearer framework for time limits, enforcement and potential permit programs.
Dixon Resources Unlimited consultant Elliot Holt presented a downtown parking action plan and municipal-code changes that city staff said are intended to give the city flexibility to respond to changing demand. Holt said the study found overall underutilization of parking in the study area but noted some block faces periodically exceeded industry standards. "We're not going to just recommend installing parking meters downtown," Holt told the council, saying paid parking would be a future tool and not an immediate recommendation.
The consultant summarized engagement and data: 654 online survey responses; 49% of downtown visitors said they typically park two hours or less; roughly one-third said they park up to three hours; 69% of downtown business owners favored increasing time limits to three or four hours; and 77% of downtown business owners and 88% of employees use public parking. The study used an 85% block-face occupancy threshold as an industry standard to indicate high demand; most blocks were below that level.
Key ordinance changes include a refreshed definition of the Central Traffic District that authorizes staff to designate time-limited and short-term parking areas; an enforcement tool requiring vehicles to move a minimum distance (150 feet) rather than merely shifting a few spaces to comply with time limits; clearer authority to use third-party contractors for enforcement; definitions for active use loading zones and oversized-vehicle restrictions; and a structure for paid parking and permit programs that staff said must be brought back to council for any implementation decisions.
City staff and Dixon emphasized that adopting the ordinance language is a preparatory step. Interim City Manager Jerry Romar told the council staff has no present intention of bringing paid parking downtown: "We update it for potential future use. And when I say future, I don't envision ever bringing it to the city council," he said while adding the code update allows future consideration if demand changes.
Public comment included a resident request that staff review accessible/handicap parking placement downtown; staff said they will inventory handicap spaces and bring recommendations if changes are needed. Council members asked for outreach and public information; staff said the ordinance amendments will be posted on the city website and promoted via the police department and city Facebook pages. The amendments passed on a first-reading vote; a second reading is scheduled for June 2, after which the ordinance would take effect 30 days later if adopted.
Votes at a glance: the motion to approve the ordinance amendments carried on a 5-0 roll call with Mayor Pro Tem Smith, Council members Gilbert, Potassie and Kettering, and Mayor Sherilyn Berrios voting yes.
