Permit Parking in West Lafayette

Permit Parking in West Lafayette

On March 2, 1998, after a special committee of the common council undertook an extensive study of non-resident parking in near campus neighborhoods, West Lafayette Councilwoman Sheryl Braile introduced Ordinance 4-98, which created a neighborhood parking permit program for West Lafayette. It was approved by the West Lafayette city traffic commission on March 18,1998 and then, after a study period, the administrative policies for the new parking zone(s) were approved by Mayor Sonya Margerum on Sept 10, 1998.

The ordinance itself mimicked a similar ordinance in East Lansing, MI, which in turn was typical of legislation found in other urban zones and college towns. Area residents were to be afforded the opportunity to park near their own homes as part of an overall neighborhood stabilization strategy. "It is intended that this Neighborhood Permit Parking will deter the excessive and burdensome practice of non-residents in certain areas and neighborhoods parking their motor vehicles for extended periods of time therein, leading to unnecessary driving, traffic congestion, illegal parking, noise, pollution, and strains on interpersonal relationships which lead to a deterioration of air quality, safety, tranquility, and other values normally desired in residential neighborhoods"

New Chauncey was the first neighborhood to take advantage of the new law. Home owners on Vine, Oak, Lawn, Meridian, and Chauncey collected signatures and presented their petitions to the City Engineer asking for a New Chauncey Neighborhood Permit Parking district. The City Engineer then verified addresses and determined which blocks met the ordinances signature requirements. He then obtained a recommendation for a New Chauncey Neighborhood Parking Permit Zone from the West Lafayette Traffic Commission. On July 28, 2000 letters went out to the neighbors, parking signs went up, and enforcement began September 1, 2000.

The idea is popular.  It "curbs" greed.

- It reduces traffic and congestion on primarily residential streets.                                                                    There are fewer parked cars to drive around or have children dart between.

- Grants owners and tenants better access to their homes and apartments.                                                      You no longer have to watch a pick-up truck park in front of your house and have the owner lift a bicycle out of the bed and head off to class for the day.

- Allows the community to better regulate occupancy.
  Only three unrelated adults are permitted to rent in West Lafayette.

- Eliminates the subsidy urban areas inadvertently give to suburban and exurban residents.                             It's great to live off campus; just don't count on free parking on city streets.

- Forces apartment managers to consider parking in their rental advertising.                                                     It's no accident that a problematic rental property on N. Chauncey is in a block without permit parking.

- Challenges the educational industry to provide adequate parking for its customers and employees.            City streets were not meant to be used as a parking garage.

No block has ever left the program. Several have been added in two separate zones. For the current parking permit map, go here: https://www.westlafayette.in.gov/egov/documents/1594642922_99945.pdf

 

FAQ

Why two permits?

By ordinance, one permit is allowed for each parking spot. Each parking spot takes 25 feet of lineal curb footage. Homes in the permit district are zoned R-1U. The lots are small. House frontages vary from 40 feet (e.g. 44 ft.-The Brittons) to 80 feet (e.g. 83 ft.-The Bunders). Two parking spaces (two permits) need 50 lineal feet. Three permits? Then somebody is probably infringing on a neighbors right to park a car or a basketball hoop or a lemonade stand or a massive pile of leaves at their curb. Even if it is awkward, most houses also have some form of off-street parking available.

Are there "guest permits" ?

This has historically been handled informally. The ladies bridge club meets on Chelsea Rd. with an impunity denied the Purdue student athletes headed to Mackey. Permit parking extends from only 7:00am to 7:00pm Monday through Friday. So students visiting friends on Stadium over the weekend usually try to be gone by noon on Monday.

Are commercial vehicles allowed overnight in a permit parking zone?

No. But that actually would apply to anything larger than a van or pick-up truck (sec. 38-252) in any residential neighborhood in West Lafayette. "No person shall park for more than four hours
in a residential district a vehicle designed, used or maintained as a commercial vehicle, including any bus or commercial truck, as hereinafter defined, or any vehicle designed or modified to serve purposes other than the transportation of persons, if such vehicle is used in or is part of a business or service."

I want to change something! Where do I go?

The Traffic Commission. https://www.westlafayette.in.gov/department/board.php?structureid=94

"It is the duty of the West Lafayette Traffic Commission to advise and coordinate traffic activities, receive complaints having to do with traffic matters, and to recommend to city officials and the city council the ways and means of improving vehicular and pedestrian traffic." Remember the "speed bump" survey? The blue flashing signs? Stop signs were eventually placed at the Smiley St. intersection.

Our friend Paul Bower represents the Second District on the Traffic Commission. Paul lives at 170 E, Stadium. (pbower@purdue.edu) He succeeded Lauren Bruce who brought permit parking to her block of Meridian before she moved to Wisconsin.