The Laramie City Council began the process of addressing parking issues in Laramie on Tuesday with the introduction of an ordinance to amend the Laramie Municipal Code.
Ordinance 1915 amends chapter 10.46 of the Laramie Municipal Code, “Locally Determined Residential Permit Parking on Public Streets.” In 1994 Laramie adopted Ordinance 1142, which allows residents near the University of Wyoming to form city residential permitted-parking-only districts, where parking is limited to those living in the district only, and to those having obtained the appropriate permits. This system is creating problems, though, Vicki Henry, Laramie City Council member, said.
“Issues have arisen with parking close to the university, and many residents have complained that UW staff and students are taking up parking spaces in the residential areas around their homes,” Henry said.
Henry said another problem specifically concerns the ordinance. To establish a residential permitted-parking-only districts, a residential district needs the consent of 60 percent of residents on the block. Henry said many of the complaints city council received were residents who could not obtain the support of others on their block.
“That has acted as a real deterrent for people, and people want to be able to park in front of their homes. I understand that,” Henry said.
City council member Joe Shumway said the council is considering the implementation of a four-block buffer zone around the university as a possible solution. Areas in the zone would have priority for resident parking permits if the resident chooses to pursue it.
Ryan Parker, a senior at UW, said he thinks it is not a good idea to further restrict parking for students around campus.
“For many students, parking off campus is their only option; parking on campus is bad enough,” Parker said.
Andrea Summerville, another city council member, said the biggest obstacle is balancing the needs of residents with UW students and faculty.
“Everyone needs a place to park, and it’s hard to find that balance. I hope we can work with UW on this issue.”
