Council approves Green Street deck and downtown paid‑parking pilot through 2026 after extended public debate

Roswell's Mayor and Council narrowly approved a pilot program to implement paid parking infrastructure at the new Green Street parking deck and to transition select downtown on‑street spaces to dynamic, demand‑based pricing, with a pilot period running through the end of 2026.

Deputy City Administrator Jeff Leatherman outlined why the city is considering paid parking: the new Green Street parking deck and the broader downtown parking system require ongoing operating funds and maintenance that were not fully covered by prior capital funding. Leatherman presented a series of revenue and utilization models showing a range of projected general fund contributions depending on policy choices. Leatherman also described technical difficulties in distinguishing residents from non‑residents at the point of entry and explained staff's recommended compromise: dynamic pricing at the deck combined with limited free windows (for example, daytime free windows were discussed in committee) and a dedicated employee parking program using existing lots.

The public comment period featured more than a dozen speakers — business owners and a wide range of residents — largely opposing an expansive paid‑parking roll‑out. Speakers urged alternatives: maintaining free parking; a hybrid approach with two free hours and modest hourly fees thereafter; expanded resident exemptions; and greater transparency about the HillRose development agreement and how parking revenue would be used. Local restaurateurs warned that paid parking could deter customers and hurt small downtown businesses; residents raised equity concerns for low‑income workers who may rely on Canton Street.

Council questioned staff across multiple sessions and explored alternatives including: keeping the deck free for residents only (a staff operational challenge), offering short‑term free windows (e.g., first two hours), employee monthly passes for Green Street gravel lot, or a limited pilot. After amendments and debate, Council approved a motion to proceed with staff's recommended Green Street deck and downtown on‑street paid parking as a pilot through Dec. 31, 2026, with explicit commitments to collect utilization data, publish the findings, and continue public engagement before making permanent policy decisions. The council vote was 4 in favor, 2 opposed.

What happens next: staff will implement the pilot technology and pricing at the Green Street deck and specified on‑street zones, collect data through the pilot period and return recommended permanent policy options (including any resident programs or alternative pricing structures) to council for further consideration before 2027.