The Parking Authority heard strong opposition from downtown business owners, servers, and frequent patrons over their decision to increase parking meter fees, substantially expand the hours into evenings, and add Saturday metering.
The flavor of the public comment portion of Thursday's special meeting on the issue was heated, with speakers telling the board it "feels like you haven't considered the working class people at all," expressing that they've had "no say in this," and warning them the changes are going to "destroy businesses."
Opponents most strongly objected to the meter hours, which were extended from 5 pm to 9 pm, saying workers would see what amounts to a sizable paycut and be asked to repeatedly return to their cars at night, raising safety concerns. The current time limit at spots is two hours.
After roughly an hour of public comment, the parking authority board voted for a pair of changes that stopped short of repealing the reforms — the first allowing vehicles to be parked at meters for four hours after 5 pm on weekdays and all day on Saturdays. The board also inched prices back down by a $1 an hour in the most pricey spots on Saturdays.
But the in-person reaction to the votes suggested the debate isn't over.
One of the virtual speakers during the meeting was incoming Vice Mayor Dan Wu, who asked that the board consider holding off on the changes until the authority can address the Urban County Council.
LexPark Board of Commissioners chair James Frazier told the Lexington Herald-Leader, he would be happy to go before council if requested.
