What Naperville parking changes mean to commuters

Sweeping changes are coming soon to Naperville's train station commuter parking lots.

This week the city council voted to eliminate the time-honored city tradition of parking permits. Starting this fall, there will be a shift to daily fee parking for spots at the downtown and Route 59 stations.

While the end to parking permits has been talked about for years and expected for months, the final step came Tuesday when the council members decided on the future fee structure.

The switch from pay-by-space to pay-by-license plate will occur at a flat rate of $3 per day. A discounted weekly rate of $14.25 will be available, as well as a monthly rate of $54.

Council members chose that option over an alternative of $2 and $5 daily rates based on proximity to the stations.

Parking permits will be eliminated Jan. 1, allowing the quarterly permits issued this month to expire.

"This doesn't have to be the end of the line," Councilman Patrick Kelly said. "We want to continue to hear from commuters. If there's changes to be made, tweaks to be had, we should continue to have an open mind on that front."

City officials said they need the parking revenue to maintain the lots with snow removal, pavement replacement and other upkeep. With the looming switch, signage needs to be replaced at an estimated cost of $5,000 to $10,000, and space numbers need to be removed.

License plate recognition camera equipment will cost about $70,000, officials said.

"We need the parking revenue in order to at least break even and, unfortunately, we're operating under a deficit," Councilwoman Allison Longenbaugh said. "It's not a big revenue-generating thing. But at the very least, we should not be operating at a deficit."