title
Resolution to Authorize a Twelve-Month Residential Parking Program Pilot
body
|
Department: |
Parking Operations |
Meeting Date: |
11/17/2026 |
|
Contact Name: |
Chance Dunbar |
Public Hearing: |
No |
|
Contact Phone: |
910-342-2786 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
|
|
Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Resolution; Attachment #2: RPP Program Pilot Guidelines; Attachment #3: RPP Pilot Map |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this resolution is to authorize a twelve-month residential parking program pilot (“Pilot”) and business validation program on certain streets downtown.
BACKGROUND:
The City’s Residential Parking Permit Program (“RPP Program”) was first established in 1996, adding parking restrictions on 10 downtown blocks during the hours of 11:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m., daily, for resident-only permit parking. The RPP Program was revised in 2002 to add daytime parking restrictions for non-permit holders from 9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Monday - Saturday. The program was further revised in 2020 across five blocks, adding restrictions by closing the 6:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. “gap” and creating a residential-permit-only option with no parking for non-permit holders.
Downtown Wilmington’s commercial activity has continued to grow tremendously since the RPP Program’s inception and subsequent revisions. In the fall of 2025, City staff were tasked with performing a deep program analysis and evaluation. Following several months of data collection and input from various downtown stakeholders, including businesses, residents, and the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee, City staff developed parameters for a 12-month Pilot as shown in Attachment #2- RPP Program Pilot Guidelines. The purpose of this pilot is to separate commercial parking from residential parking by reducing the number of vehicles parked on residential blocks and encouraging businesses to direct patrons to use parking within the Central Business District (“CBD”). Additional goals of the Pilot are as follows:
• Prioritize protecting downtown neighborhoods
• Standardize existing RPP program zone times and parking restrictions
• Standardize signage and add wayfinding
• Allow non-residential parking, at a cost per hour, with restrictions to limit impact and volume
• Support small businesses along the south end of downtown
Commencing on January 1, 2027, and ending on December 31, 2027, eleven (11) residential blocks, as shown in Attachment #3 - RPP Pilot Map, will be included in a 12-month Pilot study, with changes to existing parking restrictions and enforcement times.
During the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., the Pilot will allow non-permit holders to park on those corresponding blocks; paid parking will be required and transactions conducted via a QR code with a mobile payment option. Each parker will be allowed only one (1) transaction per day per license plate within the residential blocks. The cost for non-permit paid parking is recommended at $7.00 per hour and has been reviewed by the various downtown stakeholder groups and is supported.
To encourage businesses to direct their patrons to use parking within the CBD, a business validation option will be available on certain existing parking meter blocks, as shown in Attachment #3 - RPP Program Map. These blocks are directly adjacent to the RPP Program. Unique electronic validations will be created for businesses to use, which will discount the current parking meter rate of $3.00 per hour by 50% to $1.50 per hour.
During the Pilot, staff recommends that no changes be made to the remaining City of Wilmington blocks that are currently enrolled in the City’s RPP Program and that a 12-month moratorium for any new RPP activations go into effect to allow a comprehensive study of the Pilot program’s impact. At the completion of the Pilot, City staff will analyze all data collected and recommend any permanent changes for the RPP Program to the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee, with final decision by City Council.
To adjust the Pilot for unforeseen conditions or unintended consequences, staff recommends that the City Manager be authorized to make necessary modifications or to cancel the Pilot at any time.
This Pilot is supported by the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee.
budget
BUDGET IMPACT:
N/A
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Staff recommends passage of this resolution.