Despite concerns about the amount of parking in downtown Carrboro, a town commissioned study has found that only half of available spots are filled during the busiest hours during the week.

The Carrboro Board of Aldermen heard an update on April 5 from Timothy Tresohlavy, with VHB engineering, the firm conducting the parking study on downtown Carrboro.

The goal of the study is to measure how many spaces are available in downtown Carrboro and to help plan for future growth.

Tresohlavy said one of the next steps is to gauge parking on the weekend and during events like the Farmer’s Market.

There are about 4,000 parking spaces in downtown Carrboro; 82% percent are privately owned, 9 % are town owned and another 9% are spots leased by the town.

Total parking peaks in downtown Carrboro between 11 and 1, according to the study, but even during that period only half of the spots are taken.

“So there are a peak number of cars during lunchtime in the whole downtown parking study area it’s still only half full,” said Tresohlavy.

Certain lots, however, like the town owned one on Rosemary Street remain near capacity for most of the day.

The study has also collected 400 responses from the public through an online survey.

Responses included the need for proper signage describing the parking rules, which may explain why occupancy rates are low despite concerns about the amount of spaces available.

Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle noted another concern about employees of downtown businesses using public lots, opposed to where they work.

“I do think that employees use our public parking, in addition to students, teachers and so on, but I think out of [the study] it would be good if we had some sort of long term solution and way to deal with that need of employee parking,” said Lavelle.

The survey also asked about biking, walking and public transit habits so future infrastructure improvements can better serve the community.

Even if you don’t live in Carrboro you are invited to give your input. Another public meeting will be held in either June or July.

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