Parking Meter Fee Increases Could Come To Greenwich Avenue

GREENWICH, CT — In an effort to improve parking in the central Greenwich area, especially on the Avenue, the town is considering an increase to meter fees, which could take effect as early as April 3.

Greenwich Police Deputy Chief Kriag Gray, who also serves as the town's parking services director, went before the board of selectmen on Thursday to present the proposed fee changes.

Of note, the meter rate for parking on Greenwich Avenue would double from $1 to $2 per hour. It would cost 50 cents per 15 minutes of permitted use.

"We surmise that the fee change will encourage the dispersal of some of the parking from Greenwich Avenue into the long term lots," Gray said. "This cost is still low compared to the actual value of convenient parking for shoppers on Greenwich Avenue. Most of all, the doubling of the cost will not impact the average Greenwich Avenue shopper, but we're hoping it will affect the parking habits of others."

Additionally, long term 12 hour parking meters in central Greenwich would increase from 75 cents to $1 per hour. It would cost 25 cents per 15 minutes rather than 20 minutes.

Fees for long term 15 minute parking through two-hour parking meters would increase to $1.50 per hour, up from $1, and 50 cents per 20 minutes, up from 25 cents for 15 minutes.

"Our proposed meter rates are roughly aligned with our neighbors," Gray explained, noting that each municipality has "unique features," and that there's no clear template to follow. "Our neighbors in nearby communities all have higher rates at their meters, lots and garages."

Parking Services examined parking rates in Manhattan as a comparison, Gray said.

"You could pay $2.50 per hour for spots in Manhattan. In the outer boroughs, business districts, neighborhood retail districts, they pay $2 and a $1.50 respectively. At a minimum, all metered spots are a $1.25," Gray said.

Gray said the increases should dissuade meter feeding, which is done by many employees in the area.

The cost of a parking permit in central Greenwich is $722 per year, Gray said. There are 36 spots available right now through the permit program.

"That means that a permittee would recoup the fee in 18 weeks if they purchase that rather than paying at the meter each day in the long term parking," Gray said. "To our eyes, every spot on the Avenue at its peak usage time is precious. If we shift even half of the available permits from the Avenue to the long term lots, I see this as a win."

The board indicated support for the fee increases, but did not take any action. The selectmen are expected to revisit the item in two weeks to allow time for public feedback.

"It certainly makes sense. I never like to see anything go up on things we have any control over. But this is not going to stop anybody from going down there [on the Avenue]. We have these municipal lots that we'd love people to take a look at," First Selectman Fred Camillo said.

Camillo noted that about 160 cars have been taken off the Avenue since the parking permit program was implemented.

"There's still more to do, so if this chips away at it more that's great," Camillo said. "I think it's certainly worth a discussion, and we'll see what the next two weeks bring as far as public feedback."