Council approves study to explore townwide permit parking, consultant to start resident survey

Council agreed to proceed with a parking-permit study after hearing from consultant Robert (Bob) Vasilis of Advanced Parking Planning System (APPS), who described approaches used in other municipalities to create permit zones, license‑plate recognition enforcement, and ways to partner with private parking providers.

Vasilis said his practice starts with resident surveys and community meetings, noting examples where converting parallel to angle parking and creating rental arrangements for unused garage space yielded additional spaces. He told council the study and consultation would cost "up to $25,000 a year" and suggested a pilot in Silver Lake, with initial survey work beginning in September and preliminary data available in the first quarter of next year.

Council indicated support for a data-driven, neighborhood-tailored approach rather than one-size-fits-all rules; staff and the consultant will prepare the survey instrument and proposed pilot boundaries for further council review.