Arlington County has notified the civic association of a county sponsored proposal to extend parking meter hours from 6 pm to 8 pm. This is in addition to the recent parking meter rate increase. Several residents have voiced opposition to this proposal because they and their guests use meter parking after 6. Please consider registering your opinion about this proposal by voting below. The results will be sent to Arlington County.

A public meeting with county staff regarding this proposal is scheduled for Sept 2, 2015, in the County Board Room, 2100 Clarendon Blvd. The time has not yet been set. We will send an update when we are notified of the meeting time.

Here is the proposed change:

Amendment for Consideration – Expanded Metered Parking Hours

Subject

Consideration of an ordinance to amend, reenact and recodify Chapter 14.2 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic), Sec. 14.2-44(c) of Arlington County Code to extend the hours of parking meter operation from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Background and Justification

The following provides background and perspective on an amendment for consideration that would expand the hours during which parking meters and associated restrictions would be enforced. With the exception of a small number of tour bus/motor coach parking spaces, the current parking meter program operates between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Under the amendment those hours would be expanded to 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Manage Peak Demand and Match Neighboring Jurisdictions

The proposed change in hours would help the County better manage parking availability – especially important during hours of peak demand. 

The current hours of metered parking operation in Arlington (Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), do not conform to those in the District of Columbia, City of Alexandria and Montgomery County, and can lead to abuse by long-term parkers.

On Street Hours of Meter Operation

Arlington Mon-Sat 8 AM - 6 PM
District Mon-Sat 7 AM - 12 PM
Alexandria Mon-Sat 8 am - 9 PM
Montgomery Mon - Sat 9 AM - 10 PM

Converting to Smart Meters

The County must continue its conversion from aging single-space mechanical meters, as that equipment is no longer in production and the stock of replacement equipment/parts has been depleted. Presently, there are areas of recent development where meters do not exist but are required to support curbside management. 

Funds need to be dedicated to the purchase, installation and expansion of the County’s “smart meter” technology, both multi-space and ADA accessible single-space equipment. “Smart meters” provide valuable information on parking performance that is vital in the formation of appropriate parking management and pricing. 


Timeline and Outreach

2012: The last rate parking meter rate increase.

March 2015: The amendment was first proposed, combined with an amendment for a parking meter rate increase.

April 2, 2015: This combined proposal (rates / hours of operation) was presented to the Transportation Commission.

May 16, 2015: The County Board held a hearing on these matters and a rate increase of $0.25 cents per hour was approved. 

Because the County Board wanted the public to have additional opportunities to review and comment on the proposed change to the hours of operation, they deferred action on the change to hours until a future County Board meeting. 

DES and AED staff have continued communicating this proposal to the business community through the various BIDs and other similar organizations. 

Several media outlets (The Washington Post, WJLA, WTOP, Greater Greater Washington and more) covered the proposed changes.

September 2, 2015: The public will have an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed hours of operation changes. This meeting will be held in the County Board Room (3rd Floor), 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201 (Time to be determined by Arlington County)

October 2015: County staff aiming to bring the matter back to the Board during a Board meeting (see below). Pending Announcement Following the meeting on September 2, staff will consolidate the input that has been received. They envision bringing the matter back before the Board during an October Board meeting. The date and time of the future County Board meeting will be announced when confirmed.

Results (15 votes counted so far):
Do you favor expanding metered parking hours from 6 pm to 8 pm?
1	(7%)
		Yes
14	(93%)
		No
See Poll Form