Aldermen debate lottery, prescription and 'hunting license' approaches to permit allocation

Committee discussion centered on how to award a limited number of permits if demand exceeds the on-street supply in the pilot footprint.

Consultant Andy Hill described three main models: an open or "hunting license" model where all qualifying applicants receive permits (noting this risks oversubscription), prescription models that limit eligibility to particular building types or sponsored residents, and a lottery option that could be weighted and refreshed annually. Hill said staff favored a lottery to avoid the political and administrative complexity of prescription approaches.

Alderman Smith warned about the political consequences of oversubscription, noting, "thinking about there being 152 permits and 500 individuals, I'm just thinking that's like 400 angry, you know." Members discussed hybrids (e.g., targeted initial allotments then a lottery) and stressed that the public forum and petition period will be used to set expectations about distribution, appeals and monitoring.