Council orders notice to downtown property owners, schedules workshop on parking rules after heated complaints

After months of disputes among downtown merchants and property owners, the Hutto City Council voted 6-1 on Feb. 6 to notify all downtown business and property owners that temporary private parking signage must be removed and to host a public workshop and online survey to develop a coordinated parking plan.

The action responds to a contested situation in Old Town/Hutto historic district, where private businesses had erected reserved or short-term parking signs on public streets and property owners reported conflicts. City staff said enforcement had been limited because many of the signs lacked an ordinance backing them.

Motion and vote

Council member Kohler moved and Council member Thompson seconded a motion directing staff to: notify all downtown property owners and businesses by Feb. 14 that they should remove any temporary or unauthorized parking signage by March 1; hold an open house on Feb. 25 to gather feedback on parking and one-way street options; and prepare an online survey and legal review of a prior letter/parking agreements for the council. The motion passed 6-1, with Council member Porterfield recording the…