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College Park approves short Lehigh Road parking enforcement by city staff under UMD agreement
Summary
City Council approved an agreement allowing College Park parking enforcement staff to enforce parking on a short University of Maryland-owned segment of Lehigh Road west of Baltimore Avenue, after discussion about impacts on adjacent small businesses and available garage parking at the Union on Knox.
The College Park City Council voted March 4 to approve a signage and parking enforcement agreement with the University of Maryland that gives city parking staff authority to enforce parking on the short segment of Lehigh Road west of Baltimore Avenue.
Lede: Councilors discussed business impacts, available garage parking and development review oversights before approving the agreement, which the city attorney will review before final execution.
Nut graf: The agreement responds to a recurring local problem where vehicles parked along the short, 20-foot-wide Lehigh Road block the two-way movement of cars entering and exiting the Union on Knox garage. City staff told the council the roadway is university property and the UMD asked the city to perform enforcement on that small stretch.
What the council heard: City staff presented the request and said cars were routinely parking near Pizza Kingdom and Potbelly’s in a way that impaired traffic entering and leaving the garage. Ms. Halpern, the city engineer, described the roadway as University of Maryland property and explained that the university requested the city maintain enforcement on that short segment. Council members pressed staff on whether parallel parking could be added and whether the Union on Knox provided parking for nearby businesses.
Parking for businesses and enforcement proceeds: Parking Manager Jim Miller told the council that the Union on Knox offers open public parking for a fee and that some nearby retailers are using the city garage across the street. Council Member Rigg asked staff to work with the Union on Knox developers to ensure nearby, long-time small businesses have access to patron parking; staff said they would coordinate with the university and the developer.
Vote and conditions: Council Member Wigg moved to approve the signage and enforcement agreement “subject to the approval of the city attorney.” The motion passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: The change puts enforcement responsibility on city parking staff for a short but congested university-owned segment of roadway, with the intent of improving traffic flow and access for adjacent businesses.
Next steps and follow-up: The city will finalize the agreement with the university and the city attorney’s office; staff said they will also follow up with the Union on Knox operator and the university on access for retail patrons.
