This Triangle town has a towing, turnover problem. Could paying to park help?

Carrboro visitors and residents could pay to park in downtown lots for the first time next year under new rules that will be discussed Tuesday night.

The parking rules would only apply to public lots, parking decks and on-street spaces. They would not affect private parking lots, where some people have complained about predatory towing practices.

The town currently limits drivers to two hours in public parking lots, but the rule is rarely enforced, and the Carrboro Town Council has talked about implementing paid parking for several years.

The biggest issue identified by town staff and a parking study is the turnover rate, because of UNC students who park in Carrboro’s free lots and catch a bus or walk to campus rather than pay for a parking space.

The 2022 Walker Parking Study found that 69% of drivers leave their cars in Carrboro’s public spaces for more than two hours. Roughly 51% leave their cars in the same space for over two hours on Saturdays, the study found.

Town staff have estimated the proposed payment system — starting at $1.50 an hour, but free for the first 30 minutes — could cost about $216,000 in the first year and generate roughly $448,500 in revenues.

But how the plan could affect downtown businesses and residents could be among the biggest concerns when the Town Council meets Tuesday. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in Carrboro Town Hall and will also be livestreamed.

How many parking spaces does the town have?

The town had over 3,600 parking spaces when the study was conducted in 2022. Roughly 19% are public and the rest are private.

The town will add 61 more spaces when the new civic center parking deck opens at 203 S. Greensboro St. Another 110 spaces in the parking deck will serve the county’s library.

The privately owned spaces would remain free to employees and customers visiting certain downtown businesses, including Carr Mill Mall, Cat’s Cradle and Fleet Feet, Fifth Season and Glasshalfull, and Breakaway Cafe and Dingo Dog.

Drivers who park in private lots and leave the property can be towed.

Which parking lots would be included?

▪ On-street paid parking in the 700 block of West Rosemary Street and the 100 block of East Weaver Street.

Parking decks

▪ Hampton Inn Parking Deck at the end of Boyd Street

▪ Designated spaces in the 203 Parking Deck

Parking lots

▪ Rosemary Street Parking Lot at the corner of Sunset Drive and West Rosemary Street

▪ Yaggy Parking Lot at the corner of East Main and Roberson streets near Armadillo Grill

▪ Roberson Street Parking Lot and an adjacent parking lot, between 104 and 108 E. Main St.

▪ Century Center Parking Lot at North Greensboro and West Weaver streets

▪ Fitch Warehouse Parking Lot behind 502 N. Greensboro St.

▪ Fitch Lumber Parking Lot at 309 N. Greensboro St.

▪ Weaver Street Parking Lot between 301 and 305 W. Weaver St.

▪ Town Hall parking lots next to Carrboro’s Town Hall and Town Commons

▪ Laurel Avenue Parking Lot between 103 and 107 Laurel Ave.

▪ CommunityWorx parking lot behind 117 W. Main St. and the parking spaces on Stone Street

What would parking cost?

▪ The first 30 minutes would be free.

▪ Rates would start at $1.50 for 31-60 minutes, and cost $1.50 an hour after that. The maximum hours a driver could park would be determined for each lot.

How would the parking system work?

Drivers could pay for parking in one of three ways:

▪ On the mobile app

▪ By sending a text message to the number on the parking sign

▪ By calling the number on the parking sign to pay using a credit or debit card

What would happen to drivers who break the rules?

Drivers would get a warning for violations committed in the first 30 days.

After that, violators could be fined $20 for the first offense and $50 for each additional offense within a 12-month period.

Are there cheaper options?

Carrboro residents could register with the town to get a 50% discount if they meet one of these requirements:

▪ Live in a public housing community or have a federal housing voucher

▪ Have local students who receive free or reduced-price lunches

▪ Receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits

▪ Participate in the N.C. MedAssist Free Pharmacy Program

What do nearby cities charge for downtown parking?

▪ Chapel Hill: Parking lots and decks cost $1.50 an hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. On-street spaces are usually $1.75 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an increase to $2 an hour between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Parking is free on Sundays, and on Saturdays in July and December.

▪ Durham: Weekday parking in public lots and decks is $2.25 an hour from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a maximum charge of $24.75 a day. Weekend parking is free in most public spaces.

▪ Raleigh: City-owned parking decks charge $1 for the first two hours, and $2 an hour after that, up to $14 a day. Special event parking is $10, and three parking decks — Performing Arts, Convention Center and Charter Square — charge $3 an hour, up to a maximum of $15 a day.

What’s next?

The council could vote to approve the rules Tuesday or wait until members return from their summer break.

Once the rules are approved, town staff said it could take three to four months to hire parking staff and launch the system.