CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Waive the first reading and pass an ordinance amending Title 11 (Motor Vehicles) Chapter 2 (Parking) to convert the top levels of the Van Buren and Water Street parking facilities to permit-only parking (requires six positive votes)
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Jennifer Louden, Deputy Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has heard growing concerns from residents and downtown business owners and patrons regarding disruptive vehicle behavior both downtown and citywide. Specific concerns were expressed about activities in and around the downtown parking garages. With the decreased parking demand caused by the pandemic, more parking spaces were available and large groups began congregating on the upper levels of the Water Street and Van Buren decks. Ongoing gatherings and multiple incidents of vandalism led to the top levels of the decks being closed on September 11, 2020 and April 16, 2021, respectively.
DISCUSSION:
As the pandemic restrictions have eased, activity within the downtown area has increased and parking demand is growing. The 234 spaces currently closed at Water Street and Van Buren will be valuable during the busy holiday season. The top level of the Van Buren garage was opened on Monday, October 4 as a test. On the following Tuesday night, October 5, a large crowd of between 75 and 100 individuals gathered on the top level. The top level was promptly re-closed and remains closed.
Staff from the City Manager’s Office, Department of Public Works, Transportation, Engineering, and Development (TED) Business Group, and Police met with representatives from the Downtown Naperville Alliance (DNA) to discuss the situation and develop options to re-open the top levels of the deck while also addressing public safety. Several near- and long-term options were discussed, with some needing additional research and evaluation. Staff and DNA recommend moving forward with one near-term solution at this time, converting the top levels of the Water Street and Van Buren garage to permit-only parking, which will allow the top levels to be opened before the holiday season.
Central Business District (CBD) parking permits are currently available to downtown employees and residential tenants and allows them to park in designated areas for periods longer than the posted time restrictions. The designated areas include the upper levels of Van Buren, Water Street, Central Parking Facility, and the Municipal Center, and in surface parking near Central Park. Anyone may park in these areas without a CBD permit, but they must comply with the time regulations.
The attached ordinance amends the applicable sections of Title 11 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 2 (Parking) of the Municipal Code to establish the top levels as permit-only parking. Once these regulations are established, and properly signed, only vehicles displaying a CBD permit hang tag will be able to park in these locations.
Participation in the CBD parking program is currently voluntary. Each permit costs $5 per year and new permits must be obtained each year. DNA and City staff will work together to encourage more downtown employees to use the program and to park in the upper levels of the deck, freeing up street and surface lot spaces for downtown patrons. Staff recommends removing the $5 per year fee as a means to encourage participation in the program.
City staff and DNA will evaluate the effectiveness of this near-term solution and continue to assess longer-term solutions. Details will be provided to the City Council before any future changes are implemented.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The parking regulation changes will require the fabrication and installation of several new signs in each garage.