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Pr:dent 11 COUNCIL CHAMBER - April 15, 2002 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards, Mr. Toscano. PUBLIC There were no matters by the public. PUBLIC HEARING/ORDINANCE: PERMIT PARKING IN UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOODS 1Vh-. Jim Tolhert, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, said that the need for improved permit parking in University neighborhoods was identified during the Comprehensive Plan process. Mr. Tolbert said that a committee ofstaffand residents has worked on this issue for several months, and each of the affected neighborhoods were met with to discuss changes to the ordinance. Lewis Mountain and Fifeville residents have indicated that they do not want a change in their current system. JPA/Venable residents expressed a desire for a modified 24 hour permit parking system that would allow them to have parties and activities at their homes in the evenings. The proposal before Council is to designate some streets as permit parking and to revamp the permit parking zones in University neighborhoods to restrict parking between 12:00 midnight and 7:00 p.m. which will allow people to have guests. Mr. Tolbert noted that there is not a consensus in some of the neighborhoods abont having permit parking. The public hearing was opened. Mr. James D. Shisler, 901 Rugby Road, said that he lives at the comer of Rugby Road and Winston Avenue and his wife runs a dancing school by special permit. Mr. Shisler said he has received four calls fi.om neighbors expressing concern about the impact of permit parking on the school and on themselves. Mr. Shisler suggested that Council consider restricting parking to three hours in some of these areas rather than approving permit par'rdng. Ms. Kara Olson, 103 Chelsea Drive, said that her apartment building, which has ten apartments, but only four parking permits, has no off street parking, and she is often faced with having to park a significant distance away. Ms. Olson said the proposal could force her to park even further away. Ms. Olson said she feels that any resident of the neighborhood who owns a car should be able to get a parking permit. Mr. Kevin O'Halloran, 1847 Edgewood Lane, a member of the parking committee, said that staff and residents have been working with permit parking issues in University neighborhoods for three years. Mr. O'Halloran said an unintended consequence of permit parking on University Circle is that parking is pushed onto Wayside Place, both all day parking and late night parking to attend parties at fi.atemities and sororities. Mr. O~lloran said that Venable residents are not opposed to the concept of the proposed permit parking times, and they support making streets eligible. They prefer not to move right away to begin permit parking on the streets, but support a process that would have them be included as needed. Mr. O'Halloran noted that only part of Wayside Place is having a problem with parking. Mr. Carlos Ayers, 1856 Edgewood Lane, supported Mr. O'Halloran's comments, and said that permit parking takes away a lot of freedom. Mr. Ayers said he doe not see a big problem right now except during church functions. Mr. Ayers said he likes the concept of the permit parking zone being ready so permit parking can he implemented if needed.