Provo OKs parking-permit plan
The vote was 5-2 to adopt the watered down version of an ordinance that would enforce on-street parking from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. in the North Joaquin Neighborhood. Originally, the permit program was going to enforce parking regulations 24-hours per day and require $2 visitor permits.
City Councilman George Stewart said the program will reduce traffic congestion and ensure Joaquin area residents a place to park.
"I don't see the downside or the negative," he said to a crowd of about 55. "I know some of you do."
During public comment, a number of landowners and Brigham Young University students voiced their grievances with the proposed plan. Kyle Robe, a BYU senior majoring in civil engineering, said nighttime parking isn't the problem.
"During the day is when all the headaches occur," he said, suggesting the council should explore options beyond a parking program. "You need to think parking structures."
Dan and Debbie Bishop, two Orem residents that own rental property in the Joaquin area, said they've never had students complain about finding parking at night. Dan Bishop also suggested the council reconsider its plan to issue more on-street parking permits than spaces available.
Kurt Peterson, neighborhood co-chairman of Joaquin Neighborhood, said a parking-permit program is long over due.
"Frankly, we're tired of being (BYU's) parking lot," he said.
Peterson also challenged assertions by some people that they have a right to park on public roads.
"There's no such thing as a right to park in the U.S. Constitution," he said.
After hearing public comment, Councilwoman Midge Johnson said she felt the council was "missing the mark" with the parking-permit program as it is currently drafted.
"I don't think we're addressing the real problem," she said.
Councilman Steve Turley called the plan "half-baked," saying he thought the council was going to implement a comprehensive plan that could include shuttle options.
"I'm missing the comprehensive plan here," he said.
In adopting the plan, the council added a stipulation stating permits would equal the amount of available on-street parking — estimated at about 1,000 spaces — rather than the 110 percent of available space originally stipulated, with the recommendation that it would continue to hone the ordinance and explore other options. As passed, the parking plan will not be implemented until September 2009.
"We have plenty of time to (look at it)," Stewart said.
After the meeting, Robe said he felt like he was talking to a wall.
"They didn't listen to the public," he said.
The parking-permit program ordinance will move to the City Council's next work session. For more information on the ordinance, visit parking.provo.org.
E-mail: edana@desnews.com
Recent comments
Yes, parking is a problem, but city council is not doing a good job...
Cynthia Pope | Feb. 7, 2008 at 1:53 p.m.
Kurt is right. Local municipalities can restrict or eliminate parking...
usedtolivethere | Feb. 6, 2008 at 10:02 p.m.
I love that comment. "It doesn't say you have the right...
parkinghero | Feb. 6, 2008 at 5:01 p.m.
