The Milton Town Council is actively exploring proposals to address the growing parking concerns in the downtown area.
The focus is on implementing a parking impact fee to help cover the cost of operating, maintaining, and improving a newly leased parking lot from the Milton Historical Society.
Details of the Parking Lot Lease
The town has secured a 10-year lease for a parking lot at the corner of Union and Magnolia streets, with an annual cost of $36,000.
This new space is essential for downtown events and businesses, though it comes with its challenges. The lot has experienced flooding issues in the past, and improvements are needed to make it more suitable for parking.
The town plans to install a pervious surface and signs at the lot, with state support for funding some of these improvements.
According to a report presented at a recent council meeting, the town’s total cost for leasing and maintaining the lot would be roughly $45,000 annually, estimating that around $36,000 is for the annual leasing price of the land, and then $9,000 in yearly operational costs.
Proposals on the Table for Parking Fees
The current proposal for parking impact fees includes two key measures:
- Event Ticket Surcharge: A $1 surcharge added to tickets for events, such as those at the Milton Theatre, Milton Historical Society tours, and Milton Garden Club activities. This fee would go directly into a reserve fund for parking lot upgrades.
- Business Fee: A 0.5% fee on the gross sales of retail and hospitality businesses in the downtown area, which would be collected quarterly.
Challenges and Concerns
While these proposals aim to address the financial burden of maintaining the lot, they have faced some opposition:
- Equity and Fairness: The proposals have been criticized for being inequitable, with some businesses, such as Dogfish Head, being exempt from the fees. Additionally, nonprofit events are only held a few times a year, limiting their contribution to the overall fund being collected.
- Enforcement Issues: The challenge of enforcing the retail and hospitality business fee has also been raised, making some question the practicality of this solution.
Alternative Parking Solutions
In response to these concerns, Vice Mayor Lee Revis-Plank presented additional parking solutions during a council meeting. These include:
- Metered Parking: Introducing metered parking in downtown Milton. While this would help generate revenue, early reports show the cost of implementing and managing the system could exceed the revenue generated.
- Off-Street Parking Fees for Businesses: This would involve charging businesses for parking spaces they fall short of. However, this idea was also met with resistance due to its potential to leave the town with a budget deficit.
The Road Ahead for Milton’s Parking Strategy
While the town has not reached a decision yet, more research and public meetings are expected. Council members are hopeful that a resolution can be reached by May, ahead of the lease payments for the new parking lot in June.
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Source: Cape Gazette