The Crawfordsville City Council Committee introduced an ordinance Monday that would change how downtown businesses and individuals can rent parking spaces in city lots.
The proposed ordinance amends City Code Section 72.13 and Chapter 77, Schedule VII. It was moved to the full council for consideration.
Mayor Todd Barton said the ordinance is intended to address parking challenges that have developed over the years and update rules that have not been changed since the mid-1980s. It also serves as an initial step as the city anticipates reconfiguring downtown parking over the next several years.
Under the proposed changes, rented parking spaces would be limited to city lots and no longer permitted on city streets. No more than 25% of the spaces in any city lot could be rented, a limit Barton said had been followed in the past but was not clearly spelled out in the ordinance.
The ordinance also clarifies that parking rentals are for 365 days based on the calendar year and are limited to Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The change would allow the city to use parking areas for weekend events and activities, including the farmers market and concerts near Pike Place.
Additionally, businesses, individuals and employers would be limited to renting two spaces each. Barton said the change addresses concerns about businesses renting multiple spaces that are located closer to other businesses.
The proposed ordinance would not affect parking spaces designated for electric vehicle charging.
The changes also establish a process for designating loading zones downtown. The Board of Public Works and Safety could approve up to one loading zone space per block, with each designation reviewed annually.
Barton said the loading zones would provide businesses with access to space for loading and unloading without having to rent an individual street parking space.
