Alder Schultz’s plan to remove Sunday parking on College Avenue held for staff to specify blocks

Alder Schultz’s resolution asking the city to remove a Sunday parking carve-out along College Avenue was held by the Municipal Services Committee on Jan. 26 so staff can return with precise block numbers and ordinance language.

The committee considered resolution 26-0107, which targets a small stretch on the north side of College Avenue between the College Avenue bridge and Drew Street. Director Youngworth told the committee that parking is currently allowed on that short segment from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays, and that "the request was to remove that Sunday parking."

Alder Schultz, a co-author of the resolution, said the carve-out affects about four parking spaces in front of roughly four houses and one third of a block next to a Presbyterian church. He told the committee the church has since added on-site parking and that traffic staff support removing the special Sunday allowance. "This small chunk ... the parking carve out for 5 hours on a Sunday for what amounts to maybe 4 or 5 slots, which is used by one vehicle, anecdotally, every Sunday, is not necessary," Schultz said.

Some members urged clearer drafting. Alder Meltzer asked for an amendment to specify the block by number so city officials and residents would know exactly what was being voted on. Alder Hartzahn said he could not vote for the measure as written and stressed the need for explicit starting and ending points.

City Attorney Behrends told the committee an ordinance amendment to the municipal code would be required to effect the change and that the committee commonly passes a concept that staff then returns to the committee as an ordinance for confirmation. "That ordinance amendment will come back with the specifics ... and you will have that opportunity for review," Behrends said.

Director Youngworth recommended staff prepare a memo that outlines the designated area and timeframe, and said staff could have it ready by the committee’s next meeting on Feb. 9. Chair moved to hold the item until that meeting; the motion was seconded and passed on a 5-0 voice vote.

The committee did not take a final vote on the ordinance; members said the February meeting will include staff’s recommended language and the specific block numbers for the carve-out under consideration.