Flexibility Sought for Special Event Parking

Changes to the Ann Arbor city code – to allow more flexibility for temporary off-street parking at special events – were recommended for approval by the Ann Arbor planning commission. The recommendation, made at the commission’s Nov. 7, 2012 meeting, will now be forwarded to city council.

An amendment would be made in the city’s off-street parking ordinance (Chapter 59 of the city code). Currently, the ordinance bans parking in the “front open space” of private property. If vehicles aren’t parked in a legal parking lot or driveway, they could be ticketed.

According to a staff memo that accompanied the recommendation, Chapter 59 includes an exception that allows parking in the front open space on UM football game days and by permit during the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. The proposed ordinance change would allow city council to set special event dates for other events, such as UM hockey games at Michigan Stadium. It would also eliminate the requirement for permits during the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. The memo states that the permit process was never implemented, and that staffing is not available to enforce permit compliance. [.pdf of proposed amendment]

This brief was filed from the second floor council chambers at city hall, 301 E. Huron, where the planning commission meets. A more detailed report will follow: [link]