Spring City Borough Council took the first step Monday toward extending parking limits on part of Main Street, a change Mayor Adam Alberico said is intended to support downtown businesses and free up parking for visitors.
Currently, parking on a portion of Main Street is restricted to 90 minutes until 6 p.m. Alberico proposed extending that limit until 9 p.m., after which parking would become unlimited until 8 a.m the following morning. He said the goal is to prevent residents returning from work in the late afternoon from occupying spaces that shoppers and diners could otherwise use.
"People are coming home from work, they're parking on Main Street at 4:30 knowing that at 6 o'clock it's open parking," Alberico said. As a result, there are often fewer places for customers to park near downtown businesses.
Council voted to prepare and advertise an ordinance making the change. Councilor Brandon Woll made the motion, which was seconded by Council President Don Shaner and passed unanimously.
Which Blocks Are Affected
Borough Manager Kisha Tyler clarified that parking restrictions do not apply to the entire length of Main Street. The regulated area runs north from the former National Bank of Spring City building to Tuned Up Brewing Company, near the corner of Main Street and Yost Avenue.
Under Alberico's plan, the side of the street with The Gem Music Hall and Three Brothers Grill would remain unchanged because those buildings lack rear parking. The 90-minute limit there would continue to end at 6 p.m.
The opposite side, which includes Punch Buggy Brewing Company, Wild Blooms Florals, Alisan Road Mercantile, and L&W Group Printing, would carry the extended limit. Alberico said he had spoken with most of the landlords on that side, and that a 9 p.m. cutoff was generally agreed upon. He said property owners would be asked to direct tenants to use available parking behind their buildings.
Enforcement and Notice
Alberico said the borough’s police department has been actively issuing citations for parking beyond the 90-minute limit using vehicle-mounted cameras. Spring City Police Chief Ryan White noted a parking violation carries a fine of $35.
To give residents time to adjust, Alberico requested a 30-day grace period after the ordinance takes effect. He said he would send letters to landlords and ask them to notify tenants, adding that he would make sure the information is posted on the borough's website, signage, and social media channels.
Woll noted that because the ordinance must return to borough council for a vote, and the grace period would begin only after approval, the process effectively provides additional time to inform the public and hear any objections.
Handicap Parking Questions
Alberico also proposed adding more public handicap parking spaces on Main Street for anyone displaying a valid disability parking placard or license plate. He said any existing reserved handicap spaces on Main Street assigned to specific residents would remain in place.
Councilors raised concerns about whether tenants with disabilities on the affected blocks could still apply for reserved accessible parking rather than being subject to the 90-minute limit. Borough officials said any requests from residents about specialized parking would require council approval.
Councilor Matt Handley questioned whether general handicap spaces created by the borough would be exempt from the time limit. Alberico said he believed they should still be subject to standard parking rules.
Alberico also urged residents and visitors to use the borough's free municipal parking lot on the corner of Main Street and Yost Avenue, which is a short walk to most businesses downtown. The lot, which does not allow parking between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., has more than 35 spaces available to the public.
The draft ordinance is expected to return to council for a vote at a future meeting.
