Chico >> People will be allowed to park for more than 30 minutes 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. downtown once a resolution is adopted for the removal of an old ordinance.
The resolution will be presented to City Council on Nov. 17. It allows people to park in those spaces without paying for as long as they’d like during those hours.
The Council approved the lifting of the restriction at its Oct. 20 meeting. Under the restriction, which was originally adopted in 1958, cars could only be parked for 30 minutes during those hours.
Parking 7-7:29 a.m. will remain un-metered, with city staff beginning patrols at 7:30 a.m.
It’s thought allowing parking after 2 a.m. when the bars close, might keep someone who is drunk from driving to avoid a ticket or towing.
Director of Public Works Operations and Maintenance Erik Gustafson said the department will eventually replace all of the signs downtown that mention the restriction, which he estimates will be a $13,000 to $15,000 cost for new aluminum signs and labor.
The replacements will be phased in over time. In the meantime, the city will place reflective material over the restriction listing on signs, he said, which is a quick, “cost-effective fix.”
Contact reporter Ashiah Scharaga at 896-7768.
