The District should develop neighborhood-specific parking strategies and enforce its laws against double parking in order to reduce the frequent Sunday clashes between church congregates and neighborhood residents over sparse spaces, a task force recommends.
After four months of work, the task force of religious, community and government leaders suggested using existing policies and tools — angled parking, median parking, private garages, shuttle services, valet, carpooling and staggered worship hours — to relieve the problem. It said each neighborhood must work with the government to design a strategy.
“After looking at this closely, one size doesn’t fit all,” said Mayor Anthony Williams, who established the committee in June. “Let’s get every neighborhood with the faith institutions to craft a policy that fits that neighborhood.”
Antonette Russell, a Ward 6 advisory neighborhood commissioner and task force member, said a “blanket policy” simply wouldn’t work.
The panel also recommended enforcing double-parking laws on weekends, but declined to reject it outright, describing it as a useful tool in “extraordinary situations.”
Should enforcement happen, schedules would be rearranged so ticket-writers work Sunday to Thursday, said Bill Howland, head of the Department of Public Works.
The Rev. Grayland Hagler of Plymouth Congregational UCC said the task force found a compromise between established, community-based churches and residents who deserve to feel comfortable in their neighborhoods.
“If we can’t get people to communities of faith, then we begin to die as viable communities,” he said.
Williams, who leaves office Jan. 2, said he would like to implement the plans, but not until after he speaks with Council Member Adrian Fenty, the Democratic mayoral nominee who has indicated he backs double-parking enforcement.
