Carmel updates residents on parking pilot program

On Wednesday, Carmel updated residents on the parking meter pilot program that’s been running for the past six months.

The meeting at the Carmel Women’s Club was packed and emotions running high at times. Many were curious to hear some of the results of this parking meter program.

The idea is to reduce the number of cars sitting unattended for hours on Ocean Avenue. Just days after implementing the program, Carmel Chief Mike Calhoun said metered parking improved traffic flow.

The city also began handing out vouchers to local businesses to give to customers, a rebate of free two hour parking. Of the 830 vouchers handed out, only 74 were used. Regardless of the low number, some businesses want things to go back to normal.

“They distract the ambiance of the village. is the next update to our quaint area placing stoplights and possibly unsightly postal boxes in front of our local businesses or homes?” Sandra Backinger said, general manager for Normandy Inn.

The city said it’s made $120,000 on the meters so far. Business owners said the meters aren’t user friendly. Folks in the meeting also brought that up with city leaders.

The city also said more cars are coming and going and the parking space turnover rate has increased. The city claims this gives local businesses a benefit and every person who parks is a potential customer.