Reporter: Dave Andreesen
Date: October 22, 2012

On the Portsmouth City Council’s agenda tonight is the topic of parking once again. The Council will discuss an increase of parking meter rates and are expected to vote on the changes tonight. The change would affect parking in the downtown high occupancy zone, which is primarily the Market Square area. After spending a good part of the last two months debating those changes and hearing from taxpayers and business owners, the Council has for the most part remained in favor of the changes. If passed tonight, starting January 1st motorists would see an increase to $1.50 per hour, while areas outside the zone would remain at $1.00 an hour. City officials say the increase is not aimed at raising revenue for the city, but to get drivers to look for parking on outlying streets to reduce downtown congestion. Residents will also have the opportunity to address the Council at a public hearing on a proposal to increase the expired meter fine from $10 to $15. Tonight’s meeting starts at 7pm at Portsmouth City Hall.