2017-031 UNT Parking Meters and Parking Removal
Date: May 5, 2017 Report No. 2017-031
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Proposed parking meter rate increase and proposed removal of on-street parking on Hickory
Street.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Based on comments received from the public during the May 1 Traffic Safety Commission
meeting, staff is planning a public meeting with residents and businesses in the Hickory/Fry
Street commercial/retail area relating to a parking meter hourly rate increase proposed by the
University of North Texas (UNT) and proposed removal of parking stalls on Hickory Street.
BACKGROUND:
At the May 1, 2017, Traffic Safety Commission meeting staff presented two items relating to on-
street parking in the UNT area, specifically the Hickory/Fry Street commercial/retail area. The
first item was a proposed revision to Ordinance 2006-358 relating to an interlocal agreement
between UNT and the City of Denton for the enforcement of parking regulations by UNT on
City of Denton streets. In an effort to move away from coin-operated meters to technology based
smart parking meters, UNT proposed a rate increase of $0.50 per hour to $2.25 per hour. The
proposed increase would make these meters consistent with other smart meter locations on
campus, and encourage parking stall turnover in the commercial/retail area along Hickory Street,
Fry Street and Avenue A. Fry Street area merchants requested that the city reconsider the
current parking meter policy in favor of two-hour parking, Monday through Friday, similar to
on-street parking in place around the Square and East Hickory Street.
The second item was a proposed removal of 22 on-street parking stalls on the south side of
Hickory Street from Avenue B to Avenue A to accommodate bike lanes in accordance with the
2012 Bike Plan. The proposed removal of on-street parking is on the UNT side of Hickory
Street, and was supported by UNT. Letters were sent to businesses on Hickory Street between
Avenue B and Avenue A to notify them of the proposed parking removal and the public hearing
at the May 1, TSC meeting.
Both items were tabled due to the comments received during the TSC meeting parking meter
rates and policy as well as potential loss of on-street parking. The TSC directed staff to host
another public meeting to receive feedback on the proposed changes to parking, both metered
spaces/rates and the proposal to remove on-street parking on Hickory Street for bike lanes.
CONCLUSION:
Staff is planning another public meeting to allow residents and businesses the opportunity weigh
in and consider alternative options for the parking meters (rates and duration) as well as register
opposition or support for loss of on-street parking for the proposed bike lane on Hickory. Staff is
targeting the public meeting no later than the week of May 23 to meet the schedule for
consideration by the TSC on June 5, 2017. Final consideration by City Council would follow in
Date: May 5, 2017 Report No. 2017-031
June. Staff is working to secure a venue for the public meeting, which will either be on the UNT
campus or at a City of Denton facility.
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Site Map 1 - Meters to be removed or rates adjusted
2. Site Map 2 - On-street parking spots to be removed
STAFF CONTACT:
Mark Nelson
Director of Transportation
(940) 349-7702
Mark.Nelson@cityofdenton.com
Stalls:
bike lane
Metered Parking
Proposed removal for
Subject
Meters
Parking
-
1
Map
Site
hr
metered parking or,
-
to $2.45/
hr
To be replaced with two hour nonAdjust rates from $0.50/
Subject Parking Meters:
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