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Residents and property owners urge clearer parking enforcement as downtown conversions are proposed
Summary
At a joint hearing, several property owners said on-street parking is often used by residents and guests, making it harder for business patrons to find spaces; commissioners asked staff to inventory off-street spaces and clarify enforcement before deciding on a permit to convert a downtown commercial unit.
Residents and downtown property owners told the Planning Commission and Town Council on June 1 that parking — not just land use — is at the center of community concern about converting commercial space to residential. Linda Caldwell, who owns property across the street from the site, said residents and guests "often occupy street parking intended for business customers, which she believes discourages tourism and business activity." Elizabeth Tusing urged stricter enforcement of the existing two-hour parking limits and suggested time-limited spaces to prioritize business patrons.
Zoning Administrator Nathan Garrison told commissioners that two-hour parking limits exist for parallel spots but enforcement is limited by staffing. He also noted two public parking lots — on South Congress Street and on John Seiver Road — that do not have time restrictions. Commissioners asked staff to count the number of off-street spaces behind 9423 South Congress Street and to clarify current enforcement practices before the commission takes further action on the conditional use permit.
