Traffic commission approves up to six 30-minute downtown parking stalls, leaves siting to engineering

The Goshen City Traffic Commission voted to allow up to six 30‑minute parking stalls downtown, to be sited by the engineering department after reviewing petitions from local businesses.

Engineering presented a request from Justin Bell, EID president, to install R7-200 30‑minute parking signage for several regular parking stalls as shown in packet exhibits; petition signatures from multiple downtown businesses accompanied the request. Staff suggested sign language that limits the restriction to daytime hours (for example, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) so overnight parking remains unaffected.

Commissioners debated appropriate duration (15 minutes vs. 30 minutes), whether the designated stalls should be concentrated on one side of Main Street and how enforcement would be handled. Staff said the restriction would largely operate by the honor system with enforcement responding to specific complaints; commissioners noted similar business-managed short-term signage has been effective in other locations.

Several commissioners expressed concern about equitable distribution and recommended engineering identify optimal locations rather than fix placements now. A motion to approve up to six 30‑minute parking stalls, to be placed at engineering’s discretion, was made, seconded and carried with one recorded opposition.

Staff noted the city is completing a separate downtown parking study and will coordinate siting with that work when feasible. The approved signage is intended to support quick pick-up and short errands while limiting overnight restrictions.