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Council delays vote on Old Town paid parking after hours of public comment
Summary
The City Council continued the second reading of Ordinance 02-25 (paid parking zones for Old Town) to Feb. 25, citing an absent member; downtown merchants, including AO Architects, warned paid parking could reduce visitors and harm local businesses.
The Orange City Council on Monday moved to continue action on Ordinance 02-25, which would establish paid parking zones, fees and procedures for portions of Old Town Orange, until its Feb. 25 meeting.
Mayor Slater introduced the item and, after staff described proposed changes, council members fielded questions about whether existing two-hour limits would remain. Staff said signage would be replaced to indicate paid status and that paying customers could remain longer than the current two-hour maximum. Enforcement inside paid lots would be part of the parking contract; residential permit enforcement would remain with the Police Department.
The item drew sustained public comment from downtown business owners and property managers. RC Alley and Scott Jones, representing AO Architects and Old Towne merchants, said the ordinance would impose significant costs on employees and customers, reduce foot traffic and could cause longtime businesses to leave. Scott Jones said AO employees spent “over $300,000 out of pocket at local restaurants, coffee shops, bars, boutiques, and the plaza” in 2024 and warned that paid parking could push 250 daily patrons away.
Opposing views were also heard: AJ Ricky, vice chair of the Traffic Commission, urged the council to adopt paid parking to increase turnover and said a majority of merchants supported the plan.
Because Council Member Gutierrez was absent, and because the city attorney advised that an ordinance requires a majority of the total membership (four votes) to pass, the council voted to continue the second reading to the Feb. 25 meeting. The clerk recorded the outcome as approved to continue with four affirmative votes, one recusal and one absence.
The continuation preserves time for additional council questions, further outreach to affected businesses and for the full council to be present before a final vote.
