Village Business Owners Unhappy over New Parking Restrictions; Residents Say It's Working

Nearly a month after signs went up restricting daytime parking to two hours in a portion of the village, in an effort to discourage University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students and staff from parking on Shorewood streets, village business owners and apartment managers pleaded with the Village Board for help.

"We need to work out something that recognizes and values the business in the area," Trustee Ellen Eckman said.

The Village Board approved an ordinance in February, restricting parking in the area stretching west from North Lake Drive to North Oakland Avenue and south from East Capitol Drive to East Edgewood Avenue to two-hour parking from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, with plans to start enforcing it on July 15.

Business owners went before the Village Board Monday night, raising questions about parking for customers and employees under the new parking rules.

The village has held several held public hearings, where residents complained of UWM students and staff parking on Shorewood streets all day, not allowing them to park in front of their own house.

However, Shorewood police have yet to patrol the area for those violating the new restrictions. Deputy Chief Terry Zimmerman said they are giving residents in the area more time to purchase $5 special permits, allowing them to park longer than two hours — but also because they want to address complaints from business owners.

“We are still in conversation with some of the businesses to help accommodate them with parking,” Deputy Chief Terry Zimmerman said.

Police were prepared to start enforcing the new restrictions starting Monday, but will have a meeting Tuesday to further discuss implementation Zimmerman said.

But, even with police not enforcing the rules, one resident said the signs are working.

"We couldn't find a place to park on the street... and that's how it has been for the last 10 years," said Carole Wenerowicz who lives in the 3800 block of North Farwell Avenue. "As soon as the signs went up...our block actually had champagne, literally, because we got our block back."

Shorewood apartment manager and resident Brian Patrick said not being able to provide street parking for prospective tenants makes it difficult to lease apartments. He said some apartment residents have permits to park in the Village Hall parking lot over night, but must move their car in the morning to make way for people heading to the library and Village Hall. But, the residents can't move to the street because of the new rule.

Alan Eisenberg also manages a building at the corner of North Prospect Avenue and East Capitol Drive, which includes a apartment complex and hair salon called St. Moritz. He said employees that work at local businesses and customers patronizing shops will be forced to find parking elsewhere.

"Our business (St. Moritz) enjoys a very substantial number of seniors — woman in their later 60s through their 80s — they can not walk three, four blocks to get to the salon," he said. "If that happens, they are gone, we will lose all of that business."

Jeff Swanson, owner of City Market and North Shore Wheels in Shorewood, said he’d need a substantial amount of permits to accommodate his 50 employees. He noted while the majority of his employees either walk or take the bus to work, he still need seven parking spaces at any given time.

However, residents like Wenerowicz said area residents have been dealing with the issue for years and want the problem resolved before students and staff return for fall classes at UWM.

"By postponing implementation, I think what you are saying is it's the businesses and employees over the residents in this area," Wenerowicz said. "I think that is unfair."