Two more Portsmouth restaurants seek valet approval

This is such a no brainer!  ~bf

Two more restaurants seek valet approval

Parking Committee to mull request, hear legal response on targeting time-limit scofflaws

By Charles McMahon

February 08, 2011 2:00 AM

SeacoastOnline.com

PORTSMOUTH — The city's Parking Committee on Thursday will take up two more requests from downtown restaurants for valet service, and hear a response on the legality of creating a new fine for drivers who remove chalk from their cars.

The city's Legal Department has issued a report advising parking officials of how to proceed with creating the fine for scofflaws who attempt to circumvent the system by removing chalk from their tires in order to park past the posted time limits.

Currently, parking enforcement officers who notice chalk has been removed routinely tickets that note a vehicle has been parked past the allowed time limit. Any new fine could be in addition to the time violation.

Parking Committee members will also hear a report back from the Legal Department regarding making it illegal to park on grass on city property.

Also on Thursday, owners of The Wellington Room and Pesce Italian Kitchen are expected to request privatized valet parking through Atlantic Parking Service.

Last month, owners of Brazo and The Green Monkey were granted 90-day trial periods for the service.

Parking Committee Chairman Ken Smith said the new requests will be considered for a 90-day trial period as well.

"Private valet companies have been a win for the city," Smith said. "It really allows for one space to turn into several hundred spaces."

Calling it a "great way to manage parking," Smith said the city has granted similar valet arrangements that have proven successful over time.

A pair of requests from Councilor Eric Spear regarding possibly using parking spaces for bike racks and adjusting parking fees in the High-Hanover parking garage will also be put on the table Thursday.

Adjustments to the parking fee schedule in the parking garage involve making the first hour of parking free and then increasing the hourly rate from 75 cents to $1.

"The Parking Committee will take it all in and analyze what's best for the city," Smith said.

Thursday's meeting begins at 7:30 a.m. and will be held in Conference Room A at City Hall.