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Committee weighs two‑hour parking limit in downtown Square as infrastructure work looms
Summary
Business owners requested clearer turnover rules for the Square; staff told the committee there is no explicit local ordinance that limits time in the Square and that enforcement (including chalking) was curtailed after a 6th Circuit court ruling (Taylor v. Saginaw). Members discussed signage, hours, wayfinding and coordination with the Downtown Infrastructure Project.
Business owners and staff prompted a committee discussion about parking turnover in the downtown Square and how to handle enforcement during an upcoming infrastructure project.
Safety Director Dan Chafin said the request came from a Square business seeking a practical time‑limit solution to improve turnover, but staff found there is no specific ordinance currently limiting time in the Square; enforcement historically relied on posted signs and practices such as chalking tires, which Chafin said the 6th Circuit case Taylor v. Saginaw (2019) ruled unconstitutional for tire‑chalking. Chafin told the committee that “the provision was in place all the time” on prior signs but that signage in the Square is limited to a couple locations.
Council members discussed options including time‑of‑day limits (for example, daytime turnover but relax limits for evening shows), additional signage, and integrating parking wayfinding into the Downtown Infrastructure Project so out‑of‑town visitors can be directed to rear lots. Members recommended engaging the downtown consultant and Main Street Wadsworth and returning to Committee with proposals that balance turnover with support for evening entertainment and retail.
The Safety Director said formal sign changes are governed by Ordinance 70.10 and will need Council consideration if the Committee asks staff to change signs or create new restrictions.
