Complaints lodged over long-term lot use of downtown lot
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Staff writer
Think Burlington’s downtown parking issues were solved with the opening of a parking structure earlier this year?
Think again.
The City of Burlington Common Council found itself looking at another set of parking problems Tuesday night, this time involving the parking lot along the rail line west of East Chestnut – the lot known as “the livery lot.” That lot serves several businesses that front Pine Street, including John’s Main Event and Fred’s Parkview.
City Administrator Kevin Lahner submitted a possible change to the city’s traffic map to change the time limit in the lot from 24 hours to three hours because of issues with people using the lot for long-term parking.
At the meeting, Mayor Bob Miller said he wanted guidance from the council on how to proceed. As it turns out, he got plenty of commentary from the city’s aldermen, but whether or not it was actually guidance remains to be seen.
The council discussed at length the various parking issues in the downtown area, including this lot being filled with people parking for extended periods of time. There was discussion on whether the cars being parked there were tenants of the apartments above the businesses, or employees leaving their cars in the lot while they worked full-time shifts.
However, one thing became clear as the council discussion moved forward: the city’s parking garage isn’t being utilized to the degree city officials had hoped it would be.
There seemed to be a number of reasons for that, including elderly not wanting to go up and down the various decks as well as people wanting to park closer to restaurants and businesses.
The council agreed that parking remained a concern in the city, but seemed to be unable to reach a consensus on what to do.
One solution mentioned was to offer parking permits to limit who could park in the lots. Another offered idea was to open the top level of the parking garage to apartment tenants – or permit parkers.
But if Miller wanted a direction from his council, it seemed to only come in agreement on one factor.
“Parking has been a problem forever, and it’s probably going to be a problem forever,” said Alderman Peter Hintz.
Miller said he would continue to look at options. A lasting unanimous solution seemed lacking, though.
“You’re never going to make it perfect,” said Alderman Katie Simenson.
Miller then said, “On that, I agree.”
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