Discount to Fix Parking Permit Problem

Parking at rail stations in Darien is no small feat. Few would disagree that the permit situation is difficult, expensive—an overall mess. For a town of commuters, that’s a problem, and it’s one that the Board of Selectmen has set out to fix.

An annual parking permit in Darien is $315, compared to $856 in Stamford, and $936 in Norwalk. Commuters without permits could pay over $1,000 per year in voucher parking. Given those prices, a Darien parking permit is a hot ticket. So hot in fact, that there is a six-year waiting list for some lots. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the number of voucher spaces is far greater than that of permit spaces.

To remedy this, the Board is considering the re-allocation of voucher parking spaces to discounted permit spaces. Discussions began during the budget season, and continued at Monday night’s meeting. The goal of the discounted parking program is two-prong: increase the ratio of permit-to-voucher parking, and encourage greater use of some under-utilized lots.

The focus at Monday’s meeting was on the Noroton Heights area near Post 53, currently a large lot with voucher parking which has about 24 regular parkers. Looking at the maps, the Board agreed that the distance from the Post 53 lot to the station is too long to charge the same rate as those permit holders who park within feet of the platform.

“I can tell you that having tried to run that, it’s not insignificant,” said Selectman Seth Morton.

The incentive parking program would offer a discount to those willing to walk: an option which the Board said may appeal to residents looking to save money and also to those permit-holders who don’t commute that often.

“What we’re looking to do is add value for our residents by giving them the opportunity to spend less money and commute. What they’re substituting is they’re going to be walking a bit more. I think we will see an increase in permit numbers, and we’ll be utilizing our lots. It’s a win-win situation,” said Selectwoman Callie Sullivan.

First Selectwoman Evonne Klein said, and Chairman of the Connecticut Rail Commuter Council Jim Cameron reiterated, all permit profits would go directly to the rail station improvement plan.

“This is all for the benefit of commuters who reside in this town,” said Klein. 

The Board is still working out the kinks: what to do with the 24 regulars who already use voucher spaces at Post, and the practicalities of safely walking from the Post 53 lot to the platform, for example.

There are currently 109 potential spaces at the Post 53 lot, and the Board has “flagged” 80 as prospective permit spots. The far end of the Leroy West lot near Darien station is similarly underused, with about 20 spaces.

The current parking regulation would have to be amended to allow for some sort of reduced pricing, and that requires a public hearing process, said Administrative Officer Karl Kilduff. He added that creating a different graphic to clearly distinguish a standard from a discounted permit is another point of consideration.

The discussion will continue at a public hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, September 8 at 8 p.m.