New parking regulations are likely to take effect in downtown Lake Forest later this year after the City Council approved changes designed to simplify the current system and increase turnover near businesses.
On Feb. 2, the City Council approved a series of staff recommendations that include revised time limits and designated parking areas for customers and employees. City officials say the plan is intended to make parking rules easier to understand while improving access to retail shops and restaurants.
The plan’s goals include simplifying parking zones and signage, placing customer parking closer to businesses, and improving enforcement and permit management through updated technology.
“Our proposed recommendations are intended to create a system that supports businesses, improves customer access and can be enforced consistently,” Assistant to the City Manager Keri Kaup said. “While we know we can’t give everyone everything, we do want to be cognizant of giving everyone something that is useful.”
Kaup said after the meeting that the new policies are designed to be more streamlined and easier for drivers to follow.
The updated plan includes:
• Most on-street parking downtown will be limited to 90 minutes.
• Thirty-minute spaces will be available near Deerpath Road and other high-turnover businesses, including quick-service restaurants and the U.S. Post Office at Northgate Street and Forest Avenue.
• Most lots near Market Square will allow free three-hour parking, replacing the current mix of permit and three-hour spaces.
• Free three-hour parking will also be available at the Quarta lot near Wisconsin Avenue and Bank Lane. The Bank Lane parking deck at Illinois Road and Bank Lane will continue to offer three-hour free parking.
• Additional 30-minute spaces will be designated near select businesses.
• Employee parking will be directed to perimeter lots to help keep spaces closest to businesses available for customers.
City staff also recommended purchasing a license plate reader system that would allow police to verify whether drivers are complying with time limits and permit requirements. According to staff, the equipment would cost about $53,500 initially, with annual maintenance costs of just over $11,000 for time enforcement and permit management.
Kaup said there will be a transition period before citations are issued under the new rules.
“We do want to give people ample time to understand the new regulations,” Kaup said. “We know these are big changes.”
Under the new plan, the city will no longer issue parking tags for downtown lots. Kaup said new signs will alert drivers to the updated rules, and the city will also offer an interactive parking map.
Council members reviewed the details of the proposal with staff and expressed support.
“I’m excited about the promise this has to make parking clearer and easier for everybody,” said 2nd Ward Alderman Edward (Ted) Notz..
Kaup said representatives of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce provided feedback during development of the plan. Chamber Executive Director Joanna Rolek acknowledged that convenient parking and corresponding enforcement in the downtown have been an issue for years, necessitating occasional changes.
“With the beautiful new streetscape and the evolution of the business mix it all required a new look which we all appreciate,” Rolek said in a statement referring to last year’s renovation of Deerpath Road. “This new plan is an excellent step toward enhancing the downtown shopping experience for shoppers and supporting the success of the businesses.”
One downtown business owner said he has reviewed the plan and offered tentative approval while continuing to study the details.
“I support any change for increased turnover,” noted Mark Roberts, owner of Mark David Designs at Deerpath and Bank Lane. “That would be huge.”
A vote for final approval is scheduled for the City Council’s Feb. 17 meeting. Kaup said the city plans to review the new policies after implementation and may bring updated recommendations to the council in the future.
City staff began discussions last year with residents, employees, business owners and visitors and presented an initial proposal to the council in December. The plan was later adjusted based on council feedback.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
