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Council directs staff to return with residential permit program for Mill Street lot
Summary
After presentations and substantial public input, City staff were directed to return with a resolution for a residential permit parking program for the 309 Mill Street lot; staff proposed using the 19 lower-level spaces for permits, reserving roughly eight permits for residents within 200 feet, and offered $60 per quarter ($240 annually) as the baseline fee with possible discounted annual options.
Council heard a staff proposal to create a residential permit parking program for the city-owned lot at 309 Mill Street and asked staff to return with a resolution describing eligibility, permit counts and fees.
Chief of Police Alex Gamelgard outlined the lot—s layout: 33 spaces total (14 upper-level, 19 lower-level) with the upper level currently posted for three-hour parking. Staff recommended designating the lower retaining-wall side of the lower level for residential permits (alternatively, making all lower-level spaces permit-capable) and suggested an initial permit cap of about eight permits allocated to residents within a 200-foot radius while retaining some spaces for business permit holders. Gamelgard described the current traditional permit fee as $60 per quarter (about $240 annualized) and noted the city could set a lower annual rate (staff discussed an example of $200) and include payment-frequency options and hardship considerations in resolution language.
Neighborhood residents spoke at length. Those living adjacent to the lot asked that permits be affordable (requests ranged from about $100 annually to $200), that more lower-level spots be available for better visibility/feeling of safety, and that lighting and speeding concerns be addressed. Several callers noted the lot—s existence has increased local traffic and asked the city to consider providing permits at no cost because neighbors bear the immediate neighborhood impacts of the new lot. One caller and planning-history commenters said inclusion of residential overnight parking at 309 Mill Street had been discussed in prior approvals.
On policy details, staff recommended an eligibility boundary at a 200-foot radius measured from the lot edge and an initial permit-issuance cap tied to neighborhood needs; enforcement was described as colored permits initially and future plans to migrate to plate-based digital permitting. Council asked staff to prepare a resolution that would be ready for adoption or amendment at a subsequent meeting and to consider annual-permit pricing and potential waiver programs for low-income residents. A recusal by two council members (property ownership) was noted at the start of the discussion.
What happens next: Staff will return with draft resolution language specifying the number of permits, eligibility rules (200-foot radius), fee structure (annual or quarterly options), hardship/waiver provisions, and signage/enforcement language; council may adopt the resolution or request amendments at a future meeting.
