Title
An ordinance to amend Chapter 18, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, of the City of Rock Hill concerning Stopping, Standing, and Parking.
Body
The City of Rock Hill has developed and operated a downtown parking management system for many years. The system has been managed by an elected Downtown Parking Commission and a Parking Administrator appointed by the City Manager. City Council has considered and approved policy decisions based on recommendations from the Downtown Parking Commission.
The parking system provides surface and structured parking for employees, customers, visitors, and residents. The parking system currently includes the downtown core area generally bound by the Southern Railway to the west and north, Elizabeth Lane to the east, and Johnston St. to the south. The operation of the parking system includes the following components: enforcement, collections, maintenance, and capital improvements.
The amendments proposed at this time are focused on three key areas:
1.) Change the Downtown Parking Commission from an elected body to an appointed body. The Commission has not met since 2006. The election process is cumbersome and time-consuming. Staff recommends the Commission be changed to an appointed body of at least five (5) persons but no more than nine (9) persons. The appointees will hold three (3) year terms.
2.) Expand the boundaries of the Downtown Parking Management Plan to include additional properties to the northeast and southeast. The additional properties to the northeast would be located within a triangular area bound by Peoples Place, Dave Lyle Blvd., and Charlotte Ave. The additional properties to the southeast would include parcels owned by Comporium Communications, properties adjacent to the Municipal Parking Lot at East Main Street and South Elizabeth Lane, and the White Home property. The overall proposed boundaries of the expanded Downtown Parking Management Plan are: Southern Railway running parallel with Dave Lyle Blvd. to Charlotte Avenue, Charlotte Avenue running southeast to East White St., Reid Street to East Main Street, East Main Street to Orange Street, Orange Street to Flint Street, Flint Street to S. Elizabeth Lane, S. Elizabeth Lane to Johnston Street, Johnston Street to Southern Railway (after crossing Dave Lyle Blvd.).
3.) Revise the text of the ordinance to remove redundancies, correct errors, and clarify policies and procedures. There are numerous text changes proposed. Many of the changes correct confusing statements or restate the policies and practices associated with the downtown parking system. A "red-line" and clean version of the current and proposed ordinance have been prepared and attached.
Once the Parking Commission is reorganized and reactivated, a number of topics related to enforcement, collections, maintenance, capital improvements, and policies will be discussed. Recommendations for changes in these areas shall be brought to City Council for consideration, approval, and amendment to the Parking Management Plan for Downtown Rock Hill ordinance.