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Commissioner, public urge DDA and city to adopt accessible-parking technology and protections
Summary
Public commenter Jeff Crockett urged the commission and DDA to investigate a Grand Rapids app that locates open accessible parking spaces and recommended library-based outreach; commissioners reiterated concerns about accessible-parking language in the comprehensive land use plan and said they will pursue meetings with the DDA and council.
Jeff Crockett, a long-time special-education professional and Ann Arbor resident, urged the Ann Arbor Disability Issues Commission to press the Downtown Development Authority and city staff to investigate a smartphone app used in Grand Rapids that shows available accessible parking stalls. "Providing new technology and posting information on websites is not enough," Crockett said, asking the commission to collaborate with the DDA and the Ann Arbor District Library to hold community presentations that solicit lived experience and practical improvements.
The commission heard Crockett’s three-minute public comment during its March meeting and several members raised related concerns later in the agenda. Commissioner Packard summarized Partners & Access committee feedback about the comprehensive land use plan’s drafts, noting commissioners worry the plan does not clearly enshrine parking protections for accessible stalls when overall parking is reduced. Packard said the committee wants explicit language or an enforcement mechanism to ensure required ratios of handicap spaces are preserved as redevelopment proceeds.
Chair Larry Keeler said he will contact the DDA director (whose contact was provided by the public commenter) and follow up with Council Member Gazi Edwin to explore next steps. Commissioners proposed a sequence of outreach: (1) gather details about successful accessible-parking apps and vendor contacts; (2) request that the DDA and city parking administration brief the commission on how the comprehensive plan and ordinances protect accessible spaces; and (3) hold community sessions—potentially at the downtown library—to collect input from people with disabilities.
Commissioners emphasized procedural caution: the commission is advisory and must work within city processes. Multiple members also said they want the ADA coordinator more consistently present for meetings and follow-up. The commission set a plan to schedule meetings with DDA and council representatives and to return to the topic at a future commission meeting. The commission did not adopt a formal motion on policy during this meeting.
The commission’s next procedural step is to arrange the proposed meetings with the DDA director and Council Member Gazi Edwin and to collect any existing vendor contact information for accessible-parking technology. No binding city authorization or ordinance change occurred at the March 18 meeting.
