Morganton council adopts downtown parking overhaul, expands enforcement and raises fines

MORGANTON, N.C. — The Morganton City Council on Dec. 1 approved a package of downtown parking ordinance amendments and a new fee schedule that expand free, longer-term parking for customers while stepping up enforcement of time limits for on-street spaces.

Sharon Germolotsky, speaking for the parking committee, told the council the changes aim to prioritize customer turnover and make parking more convenient for visitors. The amendments raise most two-hour spaces to three hours, designate all four sides of Courthouse Square as all-day free parking for customers and visitors (with residential permitting allowed on three sides but explicitly excluding East Union Street), and convert several currently timed lots into all-day free lots unless signed otherwise.

"The recommended parking changes for this evening are the time parking," Germolotsky said. She said the committee also recommends modern handheld enforcement devices, better signage, and clearer maps online so residents and visitors can find approved lots.

Council also approved stepped-up enforcement and changes to fines: common same-block violations would increase from $5 to $10, a $30 fine would apply for overstaying in marked 10-minute loading/unloading spaces, and unauthorized or handicap-space violations remain at $100 or higher as required by state law. Vehicles with unpaid parking tickets more than 60 days past due would be booted and have five days to pay before being towed at the owner's expense.

A key operational change is broader use of a private vendor'managed T2 mobile ticketing system. Germolotsky said T2 will issue weatherproof tickets with a photo of the license plate, a QR code for immediate payment, online dispute capability, and daily deposits of collected funds to the city. She said staff will still handle placements in the system and be responsible for day-to-day enforcement decisions.

Council agreed to a staff-recommended 30-day warning period for the changes, with civil fines not expected to be assessed before Jan. 5; staff said the start date could slip if additional training or system delivery delays occur.

Supporters of the package said the intent is to protect customer parking from being occupied by employees and business owners, and to provide more all-day options outside the central square. Council members asked about residential guest accommodations and around-the-clock overnight rules; Germolotsky said residents will be able to register guests through an online form and the city can still issue placards in person when necessary.

The council approved the ordinance amendments and the related schedule of fees by voice vote.

What's next: City staff will publish a downtown parking map and guidance on the city website, post new signs (staff said signs were scheduled to be installed the same week), and begin a warning period before full enforcement. The council asked staff to revisit the program in March or April if problems emerge.