June 22, 2001
Why was the parking report prepared?
For several reasons. First, parking management in Lower Merion Township - like most places - has generally been undertaken throughout the years on an incremental basis, with site-specific parking needs periodically identified and addressed. It is therefore easy to understand why the Township's existing parking management system - in some cases - lacks practicality, efficiency, consistency and fairness.
Second, members of the Lower Merion community have provided many ideas on how to improve parking in the township. It made sense to study these ideas and attempt to include as many as possible into the parking management system.
Third, many of the Township's public parking spaces are underutilized. It therefore made sense to seek ways to appropriately maximize their use prior to taking steps to add additional parking facilities.
Who prepared the parking report? Where can I find the report?
Township Manager David C. Latshaw appointed a staff parking policies committee and hired a national parking management consulting firm, Chance Management Advisors, Inc., of Philadelphia, to serve as the lead advisor. Extensive study has taken place over the past eighteen months. A public input process was undertaken, including a public meeting on parking last fall.
After the staff committee formulated its preliminary recommendations, an Ad Hoc Parking Committee of the Board of Commissioners reviewed a draft report and provided input towards its finalization.
Copies of the parking report have been sent to the Township's civic and business associations and are available for public review at the six Township libraries. The full text of the Parking Report can be found on the Township's website.
Eight basic goals were established by the Board of Commissioners for the parking study. These are outlined in Section 3.0.0 beginning on Page 4 of the Parking Report.
How can I provide my input? When would the changes take place?
No changes have been approved yet. A public review and input process is now underway.
A Police Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 10, 2001, at approximately 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the Township Administration Building, Second Floor, 75 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, to receive public input and ideas. Everyone is invited to attend this meeting and provide input. Written input and e-mails are also welcomed. Telephone input should be directed to Sgt. John Dougherty, of the Traffic Safety Unit, at 610-645-6260. E-mails should be addressed to police@lowermerion.
After review of the recommendations, the Board of Commissioners will first be asked to approve the changes that are administrative. Most recommendations, however, require authorization by ordinance. A Parking Ordinance incorporating all such changes will be drafted and advertised in September, with ordinance adoption by the Board scheduled for October 17, 2001.
All approved changes will begin to be implemented later this fall. Some will require a longer lead time to be implemented. The Township will endeavor to communicate the implementation schedules as much in advance as possible.
How will the proposed parking changes affect me?
Depending upon your parking needs, you will be affected in various ways by the proposed parking changes. It is hoped that you will be positively benefited, overall, with the many proposed changes. As you can probably imagine, some of these changes may require you to make some adjustments to your parking behaviors, but the net result should be a more efficient use of the parking resources by the public.
I live on a street with residential permit parking. How will I be affected?
If you live on a residential street now regulated by the residential permit parking system, there are significant improvements proposed for you. Section 6.5.0 beginning on page 29 of the parking report outlines these changes.
I like to shop in the Township's business districts. How will I be affected?
If you have short-term parking needs in the business district areas, the proposed changes should free-up convenient parking meters for your use. Nearly all on-street parking meters will be set at the 2-hour duration. Section 6.3.0 beginning on Page 23 of the Parking Report outlines these changes.
I am an employee who works in one of the township's business districts. How will I be affected?
If you are an employee in the Ardmore, Bryn Mawr or Bala Cynwyd business districts and use parking meters during your workday, you will be benefited by the opportunity to purchase a parking lot permit to park in a municipal parking lot nearby at approximately one-third the cost of a parking meter. Section 6.4.0 beginning on Page 25 of the Parking Report outlines these changes.
I am concerned about parking tickets and enforcement. What changes are proposed in these areas?
Enforcement is the heart of any effective parking management program in order to create turnover and prevent abuse. An enhanced enforcement program is proposed. Some parking violation fees are proposed to change. Section 6.2.0 beginning on Page 17 of the Parking Report outlines these changes.
How will I be educated about the parking options and regulations?
The Township is planning to improve its public information program regarding parking. Promotional programs are proposed. New wayfinding signage will be installed. Brochures and maps will be provided to help guide you to your best parking solution. Section 6.7.0 beginning on Page 36 of the Parking Report outlines these changes.