By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Heightening enforcement, blending municipal and private lots and partnering with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater: these were among the recommendations forwarded by a consulting firm as results from a much-anticipated parking study were revealed.
Early this year, the Whitewater Common Council decided to enlist the services of engineering firm Graef for an analysis of parking regulations throughout the city.
On-street and off-street parking accommodations were a frequent issue of concern during the extensive zoning rewrite project that was adopted this spring. Rather than integrate parking into the overhauled document, officials made the decision to take the issue up independently because of its sheer complexity.
Larry Witzling and Tanya Fonseca, engineers with Graef, held a series of focus group meetings in recent months with residents and business owners. Witzling and Fonseca, along with Neighborhood Services Director Chris Munz-Pritchard, delivered a series of recommendations at a council meeting Dec. 2.
“After careful consideration of parking challenges in Whitewater, recommendations have been formed to maintain the economic value of housing for homeowners and investors and minimize the nuisance value of the negative aspects of surface parking in Whitewater,” Witzling and Fonseca wrote in a memo.
The Graef consultants issued a series of recommendations and considerations as officials consider future policy issues.
Among those recommendations was a prod to develop a partnership with the university to address student parking on-campus on a daily and extended basis. More specifically, Witzling and Fonseca recommended making use of a vacant lot near campus at Conger, Highland, Summit and Whiton streets.
While the city’s relationship with UW-Whitewater — and the parking issues that arise from the relationship — are a driving force behind the parking discussion, the Graef consults heard residents’ comments on other issues as well.
For example, parking near portions of Cravath Lake has been an issue from time to time, particularly during such large-scale events as the city’s Fourth of July festival.
To alleviate congestion in the area, Witzling and Fonseca recommended sharing public and private lots in the area, as well as streamlining parking rules.
While the bulk of the discussion focused on convenience, there are other considerations behind the city’s effort to revamp its parking regulations.
There are a series of infrastructure issues, including stormwater drainage challenges, in sections of the city. Parking is tied into the issue. In their report, Witzling and Fonseca suggested the city conduct studies to address watershed and stormwater runoff — particularly in sections of the city with larger developments.
Graef’s initial recommendations are the first step in an extensive process. Heading into 2015, the council is expected to continue reviewing the issue.
Plans call for Graef to work with the city Plan and Architectural Review Commission — perhaps as soon as February — to begin going through the specific recommendations with a fine-tooth comb.
Any recommendations made by commissioners will be returned to the council for further deliberation and ultimate action
