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Taneytown business owners press council over sudden removal of downtown parking meters
Summary
Business owners and residents told the Taneytown City Council that removal of downtown parking meters happened without adequate notice or data and urged the council to adopt short‑term protections (two‑hour limits, enforcement, sensors) while it studies longer‑term options such as a laser sensor system.
Business owners and residents told the Taneytown City Council on July 8 that the recent removal of downtown parking meters left them without warning and has harmed customer access and turnover.
"We proudly support Main Street values," Brandy Bollinger told the council. "Removing the meters without talking to businesses has cut off access. The businesses in the city deserve answers about baseline parking data and who was consulted." Bollinger, who identified herself as a Main Street business owner, said her group has been collecting parking occupancy and turnover data twice daily and urged the city to share any data that led to meter removal.
Property owner Keith Reid and another downtown business owner, who identified himself only as Mark, said customers now walk farther or give up on shopping downtown. "People have to walk a block and a half because there wasn't any spots closer to their business," Mark said.
Mayor Pro Tem and the presiding officer responded that the council removed meters to test whether meters were exacerbating problems and to avoid spending an estimated $70,000 on a new laser‑sensor system without evidence of a problem. "We wanted to see if there is a problem before we spend $70,000," the presiding officer said, asking business owners to document specific instances and metrics so staff can assess whether turnover has declined.
Council members and staff sketched a near‑term path: collect and share baseline data, consider reintroducing two‑hour free parking limits with enforcement, and hold a focused discussion in August before committing to any expensive-metering technology. Several councilors and residents emphasized that any parking regimen must pair limits with consistent enforcement to affect turnover.
Council members also discussed alternatives to coin meters. Some members said coin meters are antiquated and favor a modern sensor system that would start a free two‑hour clock for each vehicle; others said the city already has public lots and that improving signage and enforcement could address immediate needs.
The public‑comment period and council exchanges did not produce a final policy change; staff said another meeting in August will present collected data and possible next steps, including targeted pilots and enforcement options.
