Committee seeks updates to downtown parking map, traffic-calming reports and considers Parking Day event

Staff presented a draft parking map prepared with the County Planning Commission (MCPC) that shows metered spaces, time-limited street parking and public lots. Committee members recommended design changes to improve clarity: remove redundant no-parking dash marks where an entire block prohibits parking, add icons for EV charging, accessible parking and bike racks, include directional arrows for one-way streets, and create a blow-up map focused on the downtown core.

Maggie noted the map was produced under the existing planning assistance contract and that it must be updated to reflect a recent ordinance amendment changing two-hour parking zones. She recommended two versions: a full-borough map for the website and a zoomed-in printed version for downtown users. To avoid repeatedly reprinting signs when operational details change, staff proposed adding a QR code to printed maps that would link to the borough website for live meter hours, prices and any temporary changes.

Committee members offered specific content suggestions for the downtown blow-up: EV and ADA spaces, bike-rack locations, SEPTA stops, and clear notation of municipal lots. As one practical matter, staff quoted on-the-record counts reported at the meeting (as provided by staff): roughly 12 "10-hour" meters near downtown, 19 five-hour meters, 35 two-hour meters, 86 one-hour meters, 15 half-hour meters and 8 EV spaces; speakers characterized those numbers as staff-provided figures and committee members suggested presenting such details in a footnote or online rather than on a printed sign that could become stale.

Separately, the committee supported staff's proposal to standardize traffic-calming reporting. Chief John Strange said staff already prepare evaluations and can format them into monthly summaries or an annual metrics report that lists requests received and eligibility outcomes; the committee asked staff to implement a manageable reporting cadence so members could identify repeat or unresolved requests more easily.

Maggie also introduced the Park(ing) Day concept (a global, community event where parking spaces are temporarily repurposed). She proposed holding a local event around Sept. 18 (the global date) or combining it with existing downtown events; the proposal would use pre-registration, simple participation parameters and a small administrative fee. Committee members supported exploring the idea but asked staff to consult the downtown business association (NBA) before presenting it to council.

Why it matters: The map and reporting changes aim to improve wayfinding and transparency about parking options while giving staff a clearer, consistent process to track traffic-calming requests; Parking Day is a potential downtown activation that requires business input to assess tradeoffs.

Next steps: Staff will revise the map per feedback, consider a downtown-focused blow-up with added icons and QR code, produce a draft reporting format for traffic calming, and consult the business association about Parking Day before bringing a refined proposal to council.