Title
Resolution to Approve a City Policy Regarding Removal of On-Street Metered Public Parking Spaces
Memorandum
Over the past several years more than 200 street meter parking spaces have been removed. Many of these metered spaces were removed to accommodate private development requirements; while others were removed to accommodate changes that benefit the broader public.
The amount of space available for on-street metered parking is finite, and there is an impact to the community for each parking space that is eliminated. Given the density of the downtown core, a parking space in front of one building doesn't "belong" to that building, but rather is needed by nearby buildings, businesses, and special events for customers, visitors, and residents. On-street parking spaces are the closest and most convenient spaces in downtown, and are important to people who are unable to walk a long distance to their destination, including parents with children, many seniors and many in the disabled community. Reducing the number of on-street metered parking spaces has an impact on the perceived accessibility and attractiveness of downtown. The revenue lost to the public parking system from the loss of each parking meter is also a very important concern, given that parking system revenues are needed in the City of Ann Arbor to provide vital services to its citizens.
No strategy or policy currently exists to address requests to remove parking meter spaces. In 2009 the Ann Arbor DDA approved a resolution in which they recognized the value of on-street public parking spaces to a healthy, active, diverse downtown, and they recommended that Arbor City Council adopt policy recommendations that could be incorporated into the City planning process, including site plan approvals, and policy recommendations.
This recommendation from the DDA was incorporated in Article 2(e) of the 2011 City/DDA Parking Agreement, which states:
“The City shall work collaboratively with the DDA to dev...
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