Naperville increasing 15-minute parking for quick downtown trips

Five more parking spaces near shopping and offices at the new Main Street Promenade East in downtown Naperville soon will be designated as short-term spots for 15-minute parking.

The additional short-term spaces will make it more convenient for people stopping in stores such as Frost Gelato, DavidsTea, Anthropologie, Evereve or J. Crew, said city council members who approved the parking change this week.

"I think we need a few more of these spaces out there, especially with new shops opening up," council member Paul Hinterlong said.

Signs designating 15-minute time limits soon will be installed at two parking spaces on the east side of Main Street just south of Benton Avenue, two spaces immediately north of the existing short-term spots near Chase Bank on the east side of Webster Street, and one space on the north side of Van Buren Avenue just east of Main Street.

The spots likely will be popular with shoppers making quick stops, but council member David Wentz said the city should do more to remind delivery drivers that short-term parking is meant for them, as well.

"A lot of the delivery trucks will stop routinely along Washington at key intersections like close to Jefferson Street on an ongoing basis and blatantly ignore what we've set out for them," Wentz said. "I just want to make sure that the public and delivery services are aware that this is for them so they don't inconvenience the rest of us and make traffic problems any worse. Especially now with the snow in the winter, it could be more problematic."