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Newport council hears plan to meter Nye Beach turnaround, offer permits for business and lodging
Summary
City staff presented a phased plan to meter the 48-space Nye Beach turnaround, add two pay stations, retain 3-hour limits elsewhere with permit exceptions, and launch e-permits in April ahead of a May 1 go-live. Staff framed the program as a turnover tool and a revenue source for maintenance; councilors pressed for more user outreach and staffing clarity.
Derek Tokos, Community Development, told the Newport City Council that the city will implement a parking-management program in Nye Beach as a second phase following the Bayfront pilot. He said the proposal meters the turnaround — about 48 spaces — at $1 per hour and maintains 3-hour, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. limits for most adjacent spaces while allowing permits that exempt holders from the time limit.
"The only location that we're looking to meter is the turnaround, the 48 parking spaces in the turnaround," Tokos said, adding that the permit option would let business owners who now pay a business-license surcharge obtain a parking permit instead. He said staff expects mobile pay to account for most transactions and plans two pay stations plus mobile pay and regulatory signage.
Tokos said e-permitting would be available for businesses, lodging and resident permit holders by early April, with the meter program effective May 1 to align with the summer season. He described complimentary, staff-programmed permits for Visual Arts Center volunteers and QR-driven student passes rather than a self-service public sign-up for certain categories.
Councilors and attendees pressed staff on timing and outreach. Councilor Kim (who identified herself during the meeting) told Tokos she represents a recurring user group at the Visual Arts Center and opposed a 9 a.m. start time for weekend hours: "I don't agree that here, we need it to start at 9AM," she said. Tokos responded that the committee had begun with the 9–6 window but could present alternate hour options in the forthcoming fee resolution.
The council was shown diagrams of pay-station siting and a proposed loading zone near the Visual Arts Center. Tokos emphasized safety when orienting kiosks and said staff would re-use many existing signposts while installing foundations for the new pay stations.
The next formal step is a fee resolution to be included in the council packet at the next meeting; Tokos said the packet will include service-fee options and possible hour changes for council consideration. The council then moved to an executive session on litigation matters.
