Council denies expansion of Permit Parking Area 23 after staff report and resident testimony

The Saint Paul City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 27 to deny a request to expand Residential Permit Parking Area 23, following a staff presentation, community testimony and council debate about enforcement and equity.

Public Works staff presented the petition and parking counts, saying the request would add three block faces and that petition signatures exceeded the 75% threshold (the staff report noted “over 85%” of owners and occupants signed). The staff presentation described daytime and event parking pressure concentrated at Goodrich Park and indicated the existing permanent restriction appeared effective in many locations.

Two residents spoke during the public hearing in support of the expansion. Ginny Hausam, the neighborhood representative, said the petition and the city counting supported the request and that arena and student parking were driving the pressure. Murray Thurston, who lives just outside the proposed area, also supported the measure but warned it would push cars to adjacent blocks.

Council member Coleman moved to deny the staff recommendation, arguing that the city’s permit system suffers from inadequate enforcement and that creating more permit areas risks privatizing public right‑of‑way without adequate service. She said permit fees are low and do not sufficiently fund enforcement, and warned that an expansion would likely displace problems to nearby blocks.

After debate, the council adopted the motion to deny the application to expand Area 23; the clerk recorded 7 in favor, none opposed. Several council members called for a broader evaluation of the permit parking program and stronger enforcement prior to any expansion.