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Council opts for interim hospitality‑pass limits to push hotel guest parking into lots
Summary
As an interim measure the city will restrict hospitality passes to encourage use of the Columbia lot during peak season and to reduce on‑street impacts. Council favored the most restrictive option presented and asked staff to monitor lot occupancy and return with data.
Facing downtown parking pressure, the council agreed on an interim change to the hospitality pass program intended to shift overnight hotel guest parking into the Columbia lot.
Staff presented three options ranging from most restrictive (Columbia lot only during off‑peak hours) to a permissive option that would allow on‑street passes outside Oak Street. Councilors said their priority was to free on‑street spaces around the light well and Oak Street while preserving hotel guest convenience. One councilor noted many hotel guests leave during the day and that a Columbia‑lot full‑day option would reduce on‑street pressure. Staff said a valet operator might be able to service the Columbia lot if the city provides a full‑day lot pass option.
Council indicated support for the restrictive option that limits hospitality passes to the Columbia lot (with off‑peak on‑street allowances as defined in the packet) and directed staff to monitor Columbia lot occupancy (daily counts in the early afternoon), collect summer data and report back for course‑correction if there are unintended consequences.
