FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Response to Request for Parking Accommodations during Inclement Weather
DATE: March 24, 2003
This report responds to a petition from Ms. Johanna Cleary requesting a “no pay” policy for the Wallace Parking Deck on Rosemary Street during days of inclement weather.
On January 27, the Council received the attached petition from Ms. Johanna Cleary. Ms. Cleary said that during a snow storm on January 23, Chapel Hill Transit did not operate the bus system, and she was required to use her personal vehicle and park in the parking deck to attend classes, which cost her $6.50.
On January 23, Town buses operated on a delayed schedule because of low visibility and poor road conditions. The ability to provide bus service also depends on the ability of drivers to get in to work, which is especially difficult for those employees who live outside of the community. Bus service resumed for most routes by 11 a.m. that day, and other routes were added as conditions allowed. All routes resumed later in the day.
We understand that the University suspends enforcement of parking restrictions in University parking lots if buses are not operating.
Chapel Hill Parking Services does not enforce on-street parking restrictions during times of inclement weather. However, the Town does enforce parking restrictions within the Wallace Parking Deck on Rosemary Street. An exception to this was immediately after the December 2002 ice storm, when there was no electrical service in the parking deck from December 5-7 and subsequently no charge for parking. The Town charges for parking in order to cover the costs of deck operations and to help cover the annual debt service payments on parking facilities, including the deck, of about $548,000.
CONCLUSION
We understand that the University suspends enforcement of parking restrictions in University lots if buses are not operating, and the Town suspends on-street parking restrictions during times of inclement weather. Therefore, there are free parking options for those who need to park in town if there is no bus service. We recommend that the Council maintain the current policy of charging for use of the Wallace Parking Deck on Rosemary Street. If the Council wishes to direct the Manager to suspend enforcement, we will return with a policy and budget amendment for the Council’s consideration.
ATTACHMENTS
1. January 27, 2003 Petition from Johanna Cleary (p. 3).
AGENDA #3a(4)
From: Johanna [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thu 1/23/2003 4:08 PM
To: Kevin Foy
Subject: Accommodations for inclement weather
Dear Mayor Foy:
I would like to suggest that the city consider instituting a "no pay" policy at the Rosemary Parking Deck on the days when bus service is suspended due to inclement weather.
I had a class scheduled at UNC today at 11 a.m. Normally, I take the NS bus from Southern Village to campus, but because the buses were not running at the time I needed to leave, I had to drive my car. Since I use the city bus system daily, I do not have a campus parking pass. So, I parked in the deck which cost $6.50.
As I understand it, the University has contributed a substantial amount to the bus system and, if the service is not provided, it seems to me that accommodations should be made on those days. (I also had major trouble getting home from campus the last time we had snow because the buses were being called in with little notice.)
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Johanna Cleary
307 Glade Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27516