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Parks committee tables proposal to charge students for Community Park parking
Summary
The Parks & Environment advisory committee tabled a proposed ordinance that would require parking permits at O'Fallon Community Park after members raised concerns about charging for public parking and neighborhood spillover; staff will return with a plan to reserve spaces for park users.
The Parks & Environment advisory committee discussed a proposed parking-permit ordinance for O'Fallon Community Park but decided to table the measure and ask staff to return with a revised plan focused on reserving spaces for park users.
Staff presented a permit program that would mirror OTHS rules, include staged penalties for permit-holders (a three-day suspension for a first offense, five days for a second and eventual revocation), and start on Sept. 1 with permits on sale “next Monday, the 17th,” priced at $100 a year (or $50 for permits issued after Jan. 1). “The permits will go on sale next Monday, the 17th, I think it is, and then these will start September 1,” the staff member said.
Several committee members objected to charging for what they described as a public lot and warned that fees could push student parking into nearby neighborhoods. “I have never been okay with charging for this,” said a committee member who opposed the ordinance, arguing it would be a rushed change and could increase street parking in Wards 3 and 4.
Members proposed a hybrid approach: for the first year, reserve a number of spaces for park users with signage and monitor results before deciding whether to implement a paid permit program in the future. Staff agreed to return with a plan that emphasizes reserving spaces for park visitors and coordination with the high school rather than immediate permit enforcement.
Because the Parks & Environment committee is advisory, staff noted there was no formal vote on the ordinance; the committee’s direction is to bring an alternative plan back to the committee and then to the full council if needed.
