CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s been over a month since the city of Charlotte announced it would extend the hours for paid on-street metered parking spaces. However, officials have not said when this will start.
In the meantime, some people who use the street metered parking alerted WCNC Charlotte to a recent change they say makes working and parking in Uptown and South End more difficult.
Finding street parking in uptown comes with its challenges but imagine having to move your car every two hours - that is the new reality for some people who work in the area.
Shannon Burcham, a server who works in Uptown, said she always parks at metered parking spaces.
“I went to renew my parking like I’ve done for the last two and a half years,” Burcham who instead was met with a new notification this week, said. “It said, 'Sorry maximum parking time allowed, you must move to a different zone.'”
Charlotte’s street metered parking has a two-hour limit, Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. In the past, Burcham said once her two hours were up, she would renew directly from her phone. But she is no longer able to do this, which means she has to move her car or risk getting a ticket.
“I don’t know any job that is going to let you leave every two hours to go find new parking spaces,” Burcham said. “It’s hard, it’s hard to find parking … and there are plenty of lots, but I can’t justify paying $15 a day for my job.”
A spot behind you? Sorry, still out of luck unless it’s in a different parking zone.
Burcham said monthly parking would cost her about $150 a month.
“I am a sole provider for a family of three and I can’t afford another debt of $150 a month and a lot of my workers feel the same way,” she said. “They can’t justify that expense.”
Burcham said she quickly reached out to the city’s Park It program office.
“They basically told me there was a problem and they fixed it,” Burcham said. “She also told me that if all of my coworkers park in the street then there will not be any room for those who want to come out and eat. I responded that there won’t be coworkers to take care of the diners if you do this.”
All this is taking place while the city is also planning to extend the hours for paid street-metered parking from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The date this goes into effect has not yet been announced.
Burcham said she just wants a solution to make street parking more manageable, especially for those who work in the area.
“It’s just a huge inconvenience for everyone,” she said.
City officials shared the following statement with WCNC Charlotte on July 29:
"On-street, metered parking is limited to two hours to promote turnover and support businesses in Uptown and South End. Parkers in Uptown and South End who will be parked longer than two hours are encouraged to use off-street parking like parking lots and decks as on-street parking is for temporary use and not long-term use. The city implemented available technology to enforce the existing on-street, metered parking signage."
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.