By John Schaffner
johnschaffner@reporternewspapers.net

The Atlanta City Council voted 10-0 July 19 to increase the time limitations on metered parking in certain areas of the city and to eliminate overnight parking restrictions in certain metered parking areas—issues that had upset business owners, residents and visitors.

Parking meters on streets won’t be enforced on Sundays.

“Due to the hard work and commitment of our citizens, as well as the staff of the Department of Public Works, we have made a significant first step forward in addressing the city’s parking enforcement issues,” said Post 1 At-Large City Council member Michael Julian Bond, who sponsored the legislation and chairs the council’s Transportation Sub-Committee on Parking Enforcement.

Metered on-street parking is enforced by PARKatlanta, an initiative overseen by the Department of Public Works and operated by a private company. The enforcement of the new regulations goes into effect immediately. New signs and the reprogrammed parking meters will be installed within 90 days.

The council action sets meter enforcement times according to makeup of the four types of zones where the meters are installed. The zones are:

  • business/government zone, an area where parking is occupied by patrons of business or government offices with a high need for parking turnover. Enforcement will be Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a parking time limit of two hours.
  • mixed-use zone, an area where buildings have multiple uses, which include both residential and commercial uses, but do not have onsite parking. Enforcement will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a parking limit of three hours.
  • school/university zone is where the majority of parking is occupied by people at post-secondary colleges/universities. Enforcement will be Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a parking time limit of three hours.
  • entertainment/restaurant/hospital zones, areas where the majority of parking is by patrons of theaters, museums, restaurants, other entertainment venues and hospitals. The enforcement days will be Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a parking time limit of four hours.

“We want to maintain a vibrant and growing city and to do that we must ease any unnecessary restrictions for our residents and visitors,” Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell said. “By allowing for additional parking hours in certain areas, businesses will benefit as well.”

For more information about the city of Atlanta’s parking enforcement program, go to the website www.PARKatlanta.org or call (404) 330-6739.