OLD ORCHARD BEACH — The town is considering installing more metered parking, including a stretch of West Grand Avenue, to increase revenue.
The town currently has metered parking in the downtown from the Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends, as well as municipal pay lots. Last year, in order to increase revenue, the number of seasonal parking meters were increased, with meters added along East Grand Avenue from Kinney Avenue to Walnut Street.
The town council Thursday, at a workshop at the police station, discussed potentially adding more seasonal parking meters. A proposal to add parking meters in the center of Ocean Park drew opposition from property owners in that section of town, a Chautauqua community, which sponsors interfaith spiritual, educational and recreational activities in the summer.
Nancy Kenney, one of about 15 Ocean Park property owners in attendance, said the square at Ocean Park doesn’t get the volume of foot traffic that downtown Old Orchard gets.
“Ocean Park is a historical community. Its whole essence is built on the past. Parking meters don’t fit,” said Mary Kerrigan, owner of the Billow House bed and breakfast.
There was also discussion about putting parking meters on side streets in Ocean Park, but the council decided to hold off on that, as there were concerns that homeowners wouldn’t be able to park without paying.
The council will instead consider adding 18 metered parking spaces along West Grand Avenue, from Colby to Ocean avenues. This will not only add parking in the area, but will increase metered parking, officials said.
“I believe this is a win/win,” said Councilor Kenneth Blow, noting that it was agreeable to the majority of councilors and property owners.
The council is also considering adding parking meters on the other side of town, including adding spaces on Ocean Avenue, Pearl Avenue, Camp Comfort Avenue, between West Grand Avenue and the beach, and adding spaces on the north side of Heath Street, along Veterans Memorial Park.
A public hearing on the proposed changes will be held on Oct. 5.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].
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