Recommendation 20250603-004: Residential Parking Program Proposed Rule — original pdf

Recommendation

BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20250603-004: Residential Parking Program Proposed Rule R161-25.10 WHEREAS, the Residential Permit Parking (RPP) program was created in 1997 to address overflow parking in neighborhoods adjacent to the University of Texas and has since expanded to over 52 zones citywide with more than 6,000 designated parking spaces; WHEREAS, the program requires resident engagement and significant community support, including 60–66.7% support from affected residents and evidence of 75% occupancy during a two-week survey to justify RPP implementation; WHEREAS, recent survey data gathered from over 750 participants and 5,500 responses indicate a significant level of dissatisfaction with the current RPP program, with 60–70% of comments being negative or critical, including concerns about fairness, program access for renters, and lack of enforcement; WHEREAS, the Director’s proposed rule changes include re-evaluation criteria, such as declaring a zone underutilized if fewer than 66% of eligible households purchase or renew permits annually, and improving procedural transparency around permit revocation and appeals; WHEREAS, the proposed Director Rules introduce more inclusive definitions of “resident” that acknowledge the realities of renters in multi-family units and propose new tools such as affordable permits, construction passes, and expanded access to day passes; and WHEREAS, public feedback suggests a desire to shift the program’s stated goals away from guaranteeing residential convenience toward managing curb space as a public resource in a way that ensures safety, mobility, and fairness for all users of the public right-of-way; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the UTC recommends the Director’s Rules maintain the following provisions: ● Hybrid Parking Regulations; ● Definition of resident in Section V(6), which is inclusive of Multi-Family residents; ● Allowing multi-unit residential properties with seven or more units to be eligible for Day Passes under Section XII(F)(1); ● Creation of Construction Passes under Section XII(F)(2); and ● Residential Parking Program Re-evaluation Criteria, including that a zone may be underutilized if fewer than 66% of eligible households purchase or renew permits annually in Section XI(C)(1); BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UTC recommends the Director’s Rules are amended to remove provisions in Section I stating that the purpose of the Residential Parking Program is, in part, to make it “easier for residents to find an open parking spot” and replace it with language clarifying that the purpose should be to reduce strain on overparked curbs on neighborhood streets. This may include language from Section IV, which references the duties of a traffic engineer to regulate traffic in a way that “protects the safety of individuals and property, as well as ensures the smooth and efficient flow of traffic;” BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UTC recommends that the Director’s Rules be amended to allow residents of multi-unit residential properties with seven or more units to be eligible for Visitor Permits under Section XII(D); BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UTC recommends that Transportation & Public Works review whether ineligible multi-family residents impacted by the creation of a Residential Parking Program zone (whether in the zone or near the zone) can be provided with a benefit commensurate to the benefits afforded to single family and smaller multi family residents, possibly including discounted or free Park ATX codes, or additional Loading Zones and Drop Off Zones; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UTC recommends that Transportation & Public Works add owners and employees of adjacent cultural venues and businesses as interested parties in the establishment of Residential Parking Program Zones, ensuring they maintain acsess upon the zone’s establishment; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UTC recommends that Transportation & Public Works review the effects of proposed RPPs on employees of adjacent local cultural venues, including but not limited to music venues and restaurants, and establish affordable and accessible options for employee parking in RPP zones, using the model of the Affordable Parking Program, to be detailed in the Director’s Rules. Motioned by: Commissioner Schumacher Seconded by: Commissioner Kavelman Date of Approval: 6/3/2025 Record of the vote: 8-0 Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)