Lafayette commission reviews downtown parking study, pushes staff to prioritize inventory, shared parking and simpler time limits

The City of Lafayette Transportation and Circulation Commission on March 2 reviewed a consultant’s Downtown Lafayette parking management study and gave staff direction to prioritize near‑term operational fixes — notably a full inventory of parking supply, negotiated shared‑parking agreements and simpler, more consistent time limits.

Terry O'Connor, an Alta Planning consultant, told commissioners the study is focused on managing the existing system rather than building new parking, and that data and public outreach drove the recommendations. O'Connor said peak occupancy in downtown streets and lots generally runs at about 52–55% and that roughly 1,100 spaces remain unused at peak times, evidence the problem is distribution and management, not total supply. "This study is not about building new parking. However, it is about managing what already exists more effectively," the consultant said.

Commissioners and staff framed a three‑phase sequencing…