Parking Benefit District

City of Austin

Transportation Department

Parking Enterprise Division

• Parking Benefit Districts (PBD)• 12 stakeholder meetings were held to establish

recommendations for guidelines for PBD and have been agreed upon by all members

• Issues: • No parking management in the area• Little parking turnover• Funding unavailable for neighborhood

infrastructure• Lack of enforcement in area

What is a Parking Benefit District?

– A Parking Benefit District is created by metering the on-street parking at the request of a neighborhood/ merchants

– A large portion of the revenue is dedicated towards improvements in the neighborhood that promote walking, cycling, and transit use, (after City expenses are deducted) such as sidewalks, curb ramps, and bicycle lanes 

What are the benefits?• Meters generate turn-over on individual parking

spaces

• Provides enforcement/management of area

• Charging for parking and promoting transportation alternatives can help reduce the number of people parking in the neighborhood

• Eligible improvements might include:

– Curb ramps– Bicycle Lanes– Sidewalks– Traffic Calming – Landscaping– Increased Maintenance

History

• The West Campus PBD pilot program began in July 2006 from an EPA grant.

• A Parking Benefit District (PBD) was a pilot program on San Antonio Street between 19th and 26th street (96 metered spaces). 

Proposed Terms of Agreement

• A pre-application community meeting is required• At least 96 parking spaces and must generate amount

more than needed to pay all annual expenses• The City may refuse PBD requests if there is not

sufficient evidence that meters will produce minimum in revenue

• Applications will be reviewed by the Transportation Director and if approved, will be brought for review to the Urban Transportation Commission. The UTC will be asked to submit a recommendation to City Council for approval.

• 51% of the parking revenue in excess of maintenance and operations costs will be set aside for improvements in the PBD such as, sidewalks, curb ramps, lighting, and bicycle lanes.

• Existing paid parking spaces may be included in the PBD, however to accommodate budget, current revenue stream will be deducted and only excess revenue will be allotted to PBD

• Revenue from the PBD may be used in conjunction with the Neighborhood Partnering Program  if all procedures are satisfied

• Unless terminated earlier by Council, a district may remain in existence until improvements identified in ordinance creating the district are complete

Proposed Terms of Agreement (Cont’d)

Questions?