Trustees review downtown parking plan to reserve short‑term patron spaces, overnight resident spots and overflow event lots

Village Manager David Johnson presented a proposed downtown parking plan at the April 27 meeting that would reallocate on‑street and lot parking to balance short‑term patron access, overnight resident needs, employee parking and event overflow.

The plan enumerates 58 two‑hour on‑street parking spaces for downtown patrons (8 fifteen‑minute spots on Woodstock Street between 1st and Coral for quick errands, plus 2 fifteen‑minute spaces between Coral and Main and 2 fifteen‑minute spaces on Dwyer Street), 201 overnight spaces available to residents and guests, 188 spaces set aside for employees and patrons who need longer parking, and 106 spaces held for overflow and events. Estimated sign and post costs for new designations are under $5,000 and would be funded from the Street Improvements and Roads & Bridges Fund.

Trustee Curt Kittel praised staff work and said he favored restricting on‑street parking during the day to keep spaces available for customers. Trustees Harry Leopold and Niko Kanakaris said they do not want enforcement to be punitive and hope ticketing will be infrequent; Village Manager Johnson said the intent is to keep spaces moving rather than impose frequent fines and that residents living downtown will receive permits for overnight parking. Trustee Ronda Goldman asked that some short‑term limits be lengthened (for example, post‑office pickup often exceeds 15 minutes), and staff noted the current proposal increases the post‑office spot from 10 to 15 minutes.

Trustee JR Westberg asked that signage remain decorative to preserve downtown character; staff said signs will match decorative signs already in place. The plan is presented for further consideration; an ordinance implementing the changes would be prepared for a future meeting once final adjustments and stakeholder input are completed.