Original Highlands Neighborhood Association

I would like to hear people's opinions on the possibility of establishing permit parking in the 'hood. OHNA was instrumental in working with Mayor Abramson and Councilman Owen to have this tool available for neighborhood use. That is not to say how, or even if, it should be used! More than anything, OHNA was adamant with city officials that no permit parking of any kind should be employed without overwhelming agreement from all parties (resident owners, tenants, churches, businesses, etc.). That requirement is reflected in the procedures the city will put in place under the proposal (see next entry in this thread), to be presented to the Metro Council on Thursday night, August 26th. What do you think? Permit/no permit? If permit, only Thursday - Saturday nights? Throughout neighborhood? Other thoughts and questions? Post them here, or contact an OHNA Board Member (see links on homepage)

Mayor's Press Release

Here is the Mayor's release:
Residential Parking Plan Will Give Neighborhoods Options

LOUISVILLE (Aug. 25, 2004) ?– Two neighborhoods would have a new tool to help combat parking problems under a proposed ordinance unveiled today.
The ordinance, sponsored by Councilmen Tom Owen, D-8, and George Unseld, D-6, would create a pilot program that would allow residents of two neighborhoods to create residential parking zones to limit non-residents from parking in front of their homes or at their businesses.
?“This ordinance lays out a process for neighbors to work with each other and property owners on a parking plan that makes sense for their neighborhoods and private businesses,?” said Mayor Jerry Abramson.
The proposed ordinance is based on efforts in other communities, such as Bloomington, Ind.; Lexington, Ky.; Baltimore; San Francisco; and Philadelphia.
The ordinance was drafted in response to concerns of residents in the Old Louisville and Original Highlands neighborhoods. In Old Louisville, residents have had concerns for years about limited parking, due in part to the influx of students and others scrambling for parking at the University of Louisville. Neighbors in the Original Highlands have complained about patrons from area bars along Baxter Avenue tying up parking and causing property damage and vandalism.
Louisville Metro Police have beefed up neighborhood patrols in recent months and several bars in the area have added security and created additional parking options away from the neighborhood for their employees. Metro Officials also are studying the feasibility of a parking garage and other options to mitigate congestion and other problems.
The Metro Council will give initial consideration to the ordinance Thursday night.
Highlights of the proposal include:
?· At least 70 percent of the property owners in a neighborhood ?– a designated Residential Parking Zone ?– would have to agree by petition to move forward with a Residential Parking Plan.
?· Residents would have to show that at least 75 percent of the curb parking spaces within the Residential Parking Zone were being utilized during peak periods and that at least 60 percent of the curb parking spaces in the area were being utilized by non-resident parkers for two or more hours during that time.
?· Parking Authority of River City officials would meet with an appointed neighborhood advocate to help put together a residential parking plan and seek public input. In that process, alternatives to a residential parking zone can also be considered, including parking time limits, parking meters or special meter zones.
?· If a permit program is ultimately implemented, one permit can be issued per registered motor vehicle at residences or businesses. The permit would cost $20 per year.
?· No more than two visitor parking permits can be issued to any one residence at a given time. A visitor permit would cost $10 per year.
?· The ordinance also makes provisions for special event, replacement and temporary permits for special neighborhood meetings or other events.
?· Funds from the permits will be used to pay for the enforcement and administration of the program.
?· Violators will be issued parking citations. Violations of the residential parking plan will be $15 if paid within 10 days of a citation and $25 thereafter, the same as other parking violations.
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By John

Sounds good

Sounds like a great idea to me, I live on Morton and don't get home until after 8pm on the weekends and end up having to always park at least a block away from my home if not further. Not to mention the people that are parking on the street like to make a lot of noise yelling back and forth at each other and revving their engines after the bars let out. This morning they were making a lot of noise at 4am. I think we should request more police patrols in the neighborhood because of this and the recent rash of break-ins.

A good option

I think this is a great option. We purchased a house on Morton across from the school about a year ago, and although I am not living there yet, we come over to work on the house alot, especially late at night & on weekends seeing that we both work. I am lucky I have a driveway, but have had to have people removed from my driveway because there is no parking. They either park in the drive, or park at the end. I have caught people peeing in the side of the yard and every time I go back over to work we find some kind of trash or bottle associated with the bars in the area. And I afree with Mr. Sutter. When we have been over working at night the people walking too and from the bars are extremely loud.