Parking Changes in 2023 (2-11-23)

A temporary committee was formed to study the parking issues. The Committee was made up of the Chair of each standing town committee. So these people have not only been serving the town, but they’ve also been selected by their peers to be leaders. The Committee was represented by business owners, retirees and working parents… a good cross-section of our community if you ask me. I can’t imagine a more logical way to form such a committee.

They made 12 recommendations. (Bold text is the recommendation, blue text is my commentary.)

#1 Protect the residential zones west of 3^rd Street

This is a much bigger deal than I realized. People are parking further and further from downtown or the beach in an effort to find free parking. They park in the right-of-way (that grassy area between the sidewalk and the road.) It may be public property, but the homeowner maintains it, uses it for their own parking and doesn’t appreciate it being an unofficial parking lot. I get that. I also think that the lack of OTB passes is making the issue worse.

Council adopted a plan to create a residential zone west of 3^rd Street (or west of Swordfish in Wilmington Beach) where you can only park in the right-of-way if you have a parking pass. The police won’t automatically enforce it but will instead reply to complaints.

#2 Improve handicap parking options

A no-brainer. We all agree. Staff has been instructed to git-r-dun.

#3 Add clear signage distinguishing between town and private lots

Also a no-brainer. We also agree that wayfinding signage could help here too. i.e. signs pointing to where the public lots are. Staff has been instructed to git-r-dun.

#4 Work with Kure Beach to offer reciprocal parking passes

It’s done. KB residents can buy a CB pass for $40. CB residents can buy a KB pass for $20. I’m going to buy one just for going to the diner.

#5 Take no action on creating different parking zones

This means offering different prices at different lots. The further from the beach, the cheaper the cost. We agree that this would be too confusing.

#6 Change the 2-hour parking on Cape Fear Blvd west of Lake Park to daily parking

A minor adjustment that we agree on. This change has been adopted.

#7 Offer discounts to people who pay fines promptly

Yes! This change has been adopted.
Parking tickets are now $50 if paid within 48 hours. $100 otherwise.

#8 Reduce the number of tickets for minor infractions

Yes! This change has been adopted. If you paid for parking, but did something wrong (took up 2 spaces, used a non-designated spot, hanging over the line, etc…) it’s now a $25 fine.

#9 Enforce our current parking regulations for right-of-way parking

There are already regulations that govern parking in the right-of-way. Enforce them where necessary. This goes back to recommendation # 1.

#10 Free parking in January & February

Agreed upon and approved. This change has been adopted.

#11 Do not offer OTB passes

No action taken, which means that the policy remains as is. I wanted to sell OTB passes, but so be it, I’m in the minority.

#12 Free Parking in December

Council did not approve this. I wanted free parking in December, but so be it, I’m in the minority.

Bonus Change

Council also voted to start parking enforcement at 9am (vs 8am in 2022) A helpful change for surfers and beach walkers.