Hutto City Council considers paid parking options in downtown
Hutto weighs cost of paid parking downtown
Hutto City Council is exploring paid parking options in its downtown area.
HUTTO, Texas - Hutto City Council is exploring paid parking options in its downtown area.
Concerns about paid parking in downtown Hutto
What they're saying:
The Hutto Wine Bar is one of many downtown businesses that would be affected if the city council moves forward with paid parking.
"Having an opportunity for paid parking would be good, but not in front of our businesses," said Hiney. "I think that putting paid parking directly in front of a business is either going to deter people from coming if they’re planning to go to a different business."
There are only 140 parking spots in Hutto’s downtown, and Mayor Mike Snyder worries the lack of parking is turning away new businesses.
"The businesses, according to many landowners, are not ready to sign long-term leases and put the investment in until they know there is a plan," said Snyder at Thursday’s city council workshop.
Kate Moriarty, Hutto's Assistant to the City Manager, presented several possibilities for parking relief to the City Council on Thursday.
"There were some concerns about cars maybe just taking up space and not turning over and not contributing to local downtown businesses," said Moriarty.

The council discussed an additional parking garage, too.
Despite one, with mostly free public parking, nearing completion about half a mile away from downtown.
"I’m very supportive of a paid parking garage," said Hiney. "I think that having somewhere outside the downtown area where people can feel comfortable walking into our businesses would be completely acceptable."
If it’s the city funding a new garage, residents would likely still have to pay.
"Everybody's taxes would go up," said Snyder. "Businesses, so everybody’s going to pay for parking. Forty-five thousand people are paying for parking whether they use it or not."
Kate Moriarty, Hutto's Assistant to the City Manager, gave FOX 7 Austin a statement:
"On Thursday, the Hutto City Council concluded its workshop on roadway traffic and parking in Old Town by directing staff to organize a town hall meeting. This event, with a date to be announced, will invite residents and downtown business owners to share their perspectives on potential solutions for improving parking accessibility in the area.
Additionally, the Council directed staff to review the boundaries and funding opportunities within Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone-1 (TIRZ 1), also known as the "Co-Op District." This review will evaluate how revenue generated in the Co-Op District could be reinvested in downtown to support potential parking solutions.
The Hutto City Council remains committed to preserving the small-town charm and fostering economic development as key elements of its decision-making process. Council members are eager to continue this discussion and explore a path forward that positively impacts the future of Old Town."
By the numbers:
One solution is paid parking spots and time limits. However, enforcement of that could cost the city.
Moriarty explained that signs with a QR code or number for text payments are around $2,000 to $3,000. Kiosks go for $5,000 to $8,000 each.
Cameras are around $20,000.
The city could also look at hiring law enforcement or part-time employees but did not provide a cost estimate.
The other side:
"One of the main things that I loved about this area was the small town feel that I get, the kind of neighborly feel, but putting in paid parking, I feel like it would probably try to take away a certain aspect of that neighborly feel," said Nakisha Nixon, a Hutto resident.
City Council Member Brian Thompson also agrees it’s not the best solution for the city.
"I appreciate the thought and the idea, but I just don’t think that we are a mature enough town to even begin to have the discussion on charging for parking," said Thompson.
What's next:
Whatever the council decides, businesses hope the city will hear them out first.
"I think that just making sure that they listen to what we see as being profitable for our downtown businesses is going to be really important," said Hiney.
The discussion on Thursday was a workshop, so the council has yet to take any action on parking.
If the city council does create paid parking, Moriarty remarked it would be the only one in the surrounding area to do so.
The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Lauren Rangel