Onancock council adopts revised downtown parking rules, ordinance effective Feb. 1, 2025

The Onancock Town Council on Sept. 9 adopted revisions to Article II, Stopping, Standing and Parking, to curb long-term parking by business employees and upstairs residents and set a three-hour limit in the downtown business district. The motion to adopt the ordinance, with revisions discussed at the meeting, passed 6-0 and will take effect Feb. 1, 2025.

Town Manager Matt Spuck told the council the revision is intended to address two recurring problems: employees of some businesses parking in front of other businesses for the full day and upstairs apartment residents occupying spots needed by customers. "The parking spots should not be occupied all day," Spuck said in explanation of the proposal. Councilmember Sarah Nock moved to adopt Article II with the revisions discussed; Councilmember Cindy Holdren seconded and the motion passed 6-0.

During public comment, Mary Clements, a candidate for town council and owner of local real estate and a business, urged the council to split regulations by zone. "The zones should be split between business and residential because the need for each zone is different," Clements said, adding that a three-hour limit in the downtown business district is too short for some customers and that clearer signage and curb painting are needed.

The ordinance text adopted clarifies that spots intended for short-term customer use not be occupied for extended periods by employees or by residential tenants of upstairs apartments. The council set Feb. 1, 2025 as the ordinance's effective date to allow time for signage and related implementation steps. Town staff will coordinate marking and signage plans with the parking-lot committee and return to council if further refinements are needed.