3.7. Second Reading and adoption of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Orange establishing Parking Meter Zones, operations; fees; and procedures. Ordinance No. 02-25.
Dear City Council Members:
I formally request that this item be removed from the consent calendar to be able to hear additional public testimony regarding this proposal. We are long term business and property owners in the Old Towne area and have questions regarding the pay for parking proposal and it's true impacts to the businesses and community.
We also have questions regarding proper public noticing to the affected parties. There are many absentee owners who were unaware that this was being brought before the City Council on January 28, 2025 and were unable to testify on that date.
Orange City Council members,
I am in complete support of the paid parking in Old Towne. I am amazed that the city hasn't brought this about beforehand. Old Towne has become a destination with all of it shops and restaurants and like many other orange county cities, people who want to visit are willing to pay for premier parking. I appreciate that there will still be free parking for those that don't want to pay but for those, like me, who want to park close, we can pay for it. This isn't something new and with the city's budget situation, this is a no-brainer. After watching the last meeting, I find it interesting that Mayor pro tem Bilodeau would rather visitors be penalized for wanting to stay and shop (spend) longer by enforcing the 2-hr limit and ticketing. First, I don't want our officers wasting their time ticketing customers nor do I want to pay a company to do the same. Our officers are not meter maids. They are doing an amazing job keeping us safe and that's more important. Second, shouldn't the visitor/customer have the right to stay longer if they're willing to pay for it? Isn't that the purpose of economic development? Third, for those that live in the apartments in the area, shouldn't it be the responsibility of the apartment owners to provide parking and not the city's? I'm sure the leases that were signed specify if there's parking designated for the unit and if it doesn't then that's a problem that should be taken up with the apartment owner not an issue with the city.
Our families have owned the property at 129-131 N. Glassell, since 1953. Throughout the years, we have been good stewards of the property and have had excellent tenants to provide for the City of Orange and adjacent Cities. We have a mix of retail and office space, and would like to continue on for many years to come. For a number of reasons, including the possible adverse effect on our current and perspective tenants, we are not in favor of any additional parking cost in Downtown Orange.
Dear City Council Members:
I formally request that this item be removed from the consent calendar to be able to hear additional public testimony regarding this proposal. We are long term business and property owners in the Old Towne area and have questions regarding the pay for parking proposal and it's true impacts to the businesses and community.
We also have questions regarding proper public noticing to the affected parties. There are many absentee owners who were unaware that this was being brought before the City Council on January 28, 2025 and were unable to testify on that date.
Orange City Council members,
I am in complete support of the paid parking in Old Towne. I am amazed that the city hasn't brought this about beforehand. Old Towne has become a destination with all of it shops and restaurants and like many other orange county cities, people who want to visit are willing to pay for premier parking. I appreciate that there will still be free parking for those that don't want to pay but for those, like me, who want to park close, we can pay for it. This isn't something new and with the city's budget situation, this is a no-brainer. After watching the last meeting, I find it interesting that Mayor pro tem Bilodeau would rather visitors be penalized for wanting to stay and shop (spend) longer by enforcing the 2-hr limit and ticketing. First, I don't want our officers wasting their time ticketing customers nor do I want to pay a company to do the same. Our officers are not meter maids. They are doing an amazing job keeping us safe and that's more important. Second, shouldn't the visitor/customer have the right to stay longer if they're willing to pay for it? Isn't that the purpose of economic development? Third, for those that live in the apartments in the area, shouldn't it be the responsibility of the apartment owners to provide parking and not the city's? I'm sure the leases that were signed specify if there's parking designated for the unit and if it doesn't then that's a problem that should be taken up with the apartment owner not an issue with the city.
Dear City of Orange Council Members:
Our families have owned the property at 129-131 N. Glassell, since 1953. Throughout the years, we have been good stewards of the property and have had excellent tenants to provide for the City of Orange and adjacent Cities. We have a mix of retail and office space, and would like to continue on for many years to come. For a number of reasons, including the possible adverse effect on our current and perspective tenants, we are not in favor of any additional parking cost in Downtown Orange.
Thank you for your consideration on this matter.
Steven A. Nelson
Brian Casserly
Pam Childress