Stevens Point panel to make recommendations

By Taylor J. Hale

City leaders unanimously approved plans to assemble an overnight parking panel during a Sept. 14 public policy and general government committee meeting.

The group was charged with developing strategies and identifying critical parts of the city where overnight parking is needed.

The panel is still in its formative phases. Stevens Point Alder Mary Kneebone and Community Development Director Ryan Kernosky are spearheading the project.

Members of the group would have no authority to take action. The primary purpose of the panel would be to develop ideas to present to the committee.

“The goal of this group would be setting up some working sessions where we dive into what makes sense, what doesn’t make sense and only be making policy recommendations, likely to the public policy and general movement committee as a whole,” Kernosky explained.

Local leaders have discussed the possibility of overnight street parking passes and free overnight parking in the past. Kernosky hopes the group will be able to put some of the discussions to rest with proper policy.

“In the year that I’ve been with the city, we’ve had this conversation about overnight parking about four times. I know prior to my employment with the city, this has come up several other times. It’s not going away,” Kernsoky said.

A few residents spoke out against easing the city’s parking requirements, stating that overnight parking can cause street congestion and bring in more cars than properties were intended to hold.

The city currently requires overnight parking permits for vehicles on public roadways parked from 2:30 a.m. to 6 a.m.