Parking Permit Program - CCNNA’s Successful Negotiation Process

Beginning in 2022, Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (“DOTI”) began a process to change the permitted parking program for Cherry Creek North residents. The original parking permit program was implemented under then-Councilwoman Jeanne Robb as a way to ensure that residents would have parking close to their homes as and when the paid parking system was implemented in the business areas of Cherry Creek North. The program was to ensure that workers (both in the businesses and construction workers) would not be allowed to park for more than 2 hours at a time and much of the block would be off-limits all together, except for residents with permits.  
 
But demand on parking has surged with the increased development and it is even harder to have friends, workers and family park on the residential streets, especially those closest to the business areas. So when DOTI’s Curbside Access Plan (“CAP”) team proposed changes that were seen as even more troublesome for residents’ parking, CCNNA took action to oppose the most troublesome of such proposed changes, including working with Councilwoman Sawyer’s office to survey neighbors and meet with DOTI to reach a compromise. Below are links to the original proposal and CCNNA’s objections thereto.
 
 
 
 
 
The result is that the final 2024 proposal reflects compromises DOTI agreed to in order to address the main CCNNA objections. The following outlines the material points of changes to the proposed revised CAP we can expect, including an outline of the points that DOTI compromised on with CCNNA:
 
Initial DOTI Recommendations (that unchanged from the prior proposal):
  • Extend Paid Parking Hours in the BID: Adjust 3-hour paid parking time limits from 8am - 7pm to 8am - 9pm in the BID to increase evening turnover for patrons.
  • Expand No Parking Zones: Introduce strategic no parking zones throughout the neighborhood streets to provide for some areas in which cars can pull in and allow opposite traffic to pass through narrower streets. This change will enhance traffic flow and improve visibility at alleys, driveways, and intersections.
  • Introduce Paid Parking east of the BID:  Add paid parking along portions of Ellsworth and 1st Avenues, areas outside of the BID, that include paid parking.
  • A Commitment to Ongoing Review: DOTI has agreed to monitor parking occupancy after the proposed plan changes are implemented, especially on streets east of Madison and Garfield, to see if parking in those areas increases such that future restriction adjustments are needed.
Revisions to the Plan Reflecting DOTI Compromises Based on CCNNA Input:
  • Cherry Creek Permit Only Parking Spaces:
    • Original DOTI proposal: Retain only approximately 5 permit-only spaces per street, converting the rest to 2-hour time limits, with permits valid in both areas.
    • Compromised plan: Retain an increased number of approximately 10 permit-only spaces per street to increase parking supply for residents while keeping 2-hour time limits on remaining spaces.

  • Area Permit Zones, which will be introduced to allow for better enforcement options:
    • Original DOTI proposal: Establish a single Cherry Creek North (CCN) Area Permit Zone to allow residents and guests with a residential permit to park on any block within the CCN Area Permit Zone.
    • Compromised plan: Establish TWO distinct CCN Area Permit Zones to separate the residential areas located closest to the BID (where parking availability is most stressed) from other residential areas of the CCN neighborhood. This change will discourage local travel by permit participants to destinations close to the BID, recognizing that this area is already the most densely parked area.

  • Preserve Time Limits on Certain Streets: Retain parking time limits on Garfield, Jackson, and Harrison between Cedar and Alameda (previously proposed for removal).
Conclusion: With the help of the many residents who responded to CCNNA surveys, and with the help of Councilwoman Sawyer’s office, CCNNA was able to work with the team at DOTI to seek compromises of the earlier proposal. The compromises which DOTI agreed to will soften some of the earlier proposed changes that were anticipated to have the most negative impact on the already limited parking supply in Cherry Creek North. While not all objections were addressed, DOTI also pledged to continue to work with CCNNA as DOTI implements these changes so that further modifications may be made if the plan does not achieve the desired goals or if additional burdens are presented to area residents. 
 
Below is the diagram showing where these changes will be implemented.  You will still see more unrestricted parking, which may be accessed by anyone, regardless of whether they have a permit.  These spaces may be used by residents’ guests and family members without special restrictions.  The City has also pledged to increase enforcement and encourages all residents to contact 311 if they observe violations on a regular basis.  
 
We thank you all for your support of CCNNA as we continue to work for the betterment of our residents and to preserve the special character of our Cherry Creek North neighborhood!