City approves residential permit-parking in Old Town, delays business permit rules for more criteria

Orange — On Oct. 28 the City Council approved the residential portion of a proposed downtown permit-parking program and deferred the business (employee permit) portion to the council’s first December meeting for further staff refinement. The bifurcated approach passed 6–1, with Mayor Pro Tem Bilodeau voting no.

Staff described the proposed employee permit as a vehicle-plate-based permit intended for full-time employees, priced at $50 per month but billed in six-month increments; permits would be issued at the business’s request and assigned to a specific vehicle. Council members and public speakers questioned how the city would verify full-time status, whether the program would undermine paid parking aims and turnover goals, and who would set or limit the number of permits per business.

Councilmember Dimitrio moved to approve the residential component and continue the business component to allow staff to return with clearer criteria, suggested limits per business and enforcement measures. Staff said they intend to closely monitor usage and metrics through the city’s parking manager contracted through ACE and, if necessary, return with restrictions and fee adjustments.

Key clarifications recorded in the meeting: staff noted over 1,000 free parking spaces in Old Town are intended for employee parking; the employee permit is renewable every six months; appeals and administrative procedures are in existing municipal code; and if abuse occurs staff will recommend council changes when the business component returns.

Next steps: staff to return to council in December with proposed eligibility criteria, limits per business, verification steps, and metrics on how the permits affect paid-parking turnover and revenue.