2002-51 DESIGNATING CUSTOMER PARKING ZONE IN DOWNTOWN DECATUR

Home Browse Search

Economic & Urban Development Department Memorandum ', # 02-54 ' June 11, 2002 TO: Honorable or Terry M.Howley and City Council Members FROM: Steve Garm ity Manager A.J. Krie , sistant City Manage SUBJECT: Downtown one Parking Plan/Chap r 34 Amendments RECOMMENDATION: City staff recommends approval of the proposed changes to Chapter 34 and implementation of a zone parking plan for a six month trial period beginning July 1, 2002. BACKGROUND: As Council members will recall, City staff has prepared and recommended implementation of a zone parking plan for a six-month trial period. Per Council's direction, City staff has been working toward implementation of the plan. The trial period which was to have originally begun May 1 has been delayed until July 1; primarily because of the time required to make the necessary software and other programming/technical changes. As proposed, City staff's zone parking plan includes a series of permanent and trial changes to the downtown parking system. The following elements are proposed as permanent changes to the City's parking regulation/enforcement system: ■ Graduated Fine Schedule ■ Use of Visitor Parking Placards ■ Issuance of Resident Parking Permits ■ Updated Enforcement Techniques Including Random Coverage and Use of Computerized Units to Track for Graduated Fine Schedule ■ Use of Trolley to Transport Parkers from Garages/Perimeter Areas to Core on Reliable Schedule _ The following elements are proposed as trial period changes to the City's parking regulation/enforcement system: ■ Implementation of Zone Parking ■ Implementation of a Phase 1 Customer Parking Zone ■ Use of Customer Parking Zone Residential Permits ■ Customer Parking Zone Graduated Fine Schedule ■ Suc-month Trial Period Beginning July 1, 2002 The implementation of this zone plan is the first step toward the development of a system that provides free, conveniently located parking within an environment that encourages employees to park in perimeter areas and provides a substantial disincentive to violate its rules.