ORANGE : Regulation Delayed on Parking Permits

The City Council voted unanimously this week to postpone creating a policy to regulate parking-permit programs.

The postponement came a week after council members approved a permit program aimed at easing street congestion and other problems caused by overcrowding at the Orange Villa Apartments at 3138 E. Maple Ave.

The adoption of a new parking-permit policy was recommended by the Traffic Commission in response to growing requests for such neighborhood permits. Among other guidelines, the policy states that parking programs “shall not be approved to attempt to solve social problems that should be addressed through the Police or Code Enforcement” departments.

The Traffic Commission’s proposal would have reduced the number of requests for permits by setting guidelines better defining the purpose and use of permit parking.

Council members said that if the city is to have an effective permit plan, it must first be supported by legal, housing and zoning policies.

“We recognize as a City Council that most of your parking requests are due to social problems,” said Councilwoman Joanne Coontz. She requested that drawing up a policy be postponed until other departments were consulted “because we are a city and we need to work together as a team.”

The council plans to discuss the proposal with staff members later this month.