City Council members are discussing several proposals that would alleviate traffic-related problems both in the University area and in downtown Charlottesville.
The proposals include restricting parking in the Jefferson Park Ave. and Venable Neighborhood areas, tripling parking fees downtown and building up to three new parking garages downtown.
The consulting firm Rich and Associates Inc. recently studied transportation problems in the city and recommended the proposals.
The city may "institute a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week permit parking at JPA and Venable," Charlottesville Mayor Blake Caravati said. "If you do not live in that area, you cannot park there."
Caravati said such a system would be similar to the one now in place on University Circle.
Changes to parking laws are only in formative stages and probably will be decided in late November or December, Caravati said.
The city also is trying to deal with parking problems downtown.
According to the consulting firm's report, the city needs an additional 4,416 parking spaces, and the problem likely will double in the next 10 years. To combat the problem, the report suggests building three new parking garages.
The garages would be built on the corner of 7th St. and Market St., Garrett St. and 2nd St. and adjacent to the Omni Hotel on the Downtown Mall.
City Council members are divided on what role the city should play in building more parking structures.
Councilor Kevin Lynch said he is opposed to building new lots if the "funds come out of taxpayers' pockets."
But Council member David Toscano said he feels "the local government has a legitimate role" in building new parking structures.
Many workers in the city now use spaces designated for retail purposes to park for work, Toscano said.
The problem, the study asserts, stems from a low fine for parking longer than two hours in curb spaces and little enforcement of the time limit.
"For many people, the choice is between a [$5] fine and paying a substantial fee for a garage," Toscano said. "Fifteen to 20 percent of spaces ... are not used for short-term use."
The study recommends increasing fines to $15, lowering parking time to one hour and increasing enforcement of parking laws.
Some councilors see alternate modes of transit as a possible solution to the parking problems.
One solution, endorsed by Lynch and Toscano, is the "van pool" system, in which an employer would transport about 10 workers in one van to the place of work, dramatically reducing the number of spaces needed.
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