BIDDEFORD — One of the high points of 2018 for Biddeford is that growth in the downtown and mill district has brought new value to the city and with it, more stability to the property tax.

While that is good news for most of the city’s taxpayers, the projection of future growth in those areas of the city, has led to probably the year’s most controversial development for residents

It was the end of the year when a Parking Management Plan, or PMP, went in to full effect. The plan, which includes more time-limited parking spaces, which took place Nov. 1, and charging to park in city-owned parking lots, which started in early December, has met with resistance from a number of area business owners and residents alike.

City officials say that the changes are necessary to provide needed short-term, high-turnover parking options for those visiting the downtown who shop in local stores, eat in local restaurants or do other business in the area.

But a number of business owners have said the changes are not needed or wanted.

At a public meeting on the PMP on Nov. 19, Matt Swaford, owner of High Rollers Glass and Gifts at 20 Alfred St., said he was against charging for parking in city parking lots because he is afraid it will hurt his business.

The parking plan “is gambling with our livelihoods,” he said.

Joan Ladakakos also spoke against the plan. Ladakakos, owner of the popular George’s Sandwich Shop at 37 Franklin St. whose customers had been able to take advantage of free parking at a city-owned lot across from her business no longer can — although a few spots are designated free parking. She said she believes charging to park at the nearby Franklin Street lot will be detrimental to her business.

“I’m pretty sure most of us don’t like it (the parking plan),” Ladakakos said. The majority of those attending that meeting agreed with her by a show of hands.

It’s not just business owners who are concerned with how the new parking rules will work, Ladakakos said.

“Customers have come in and said ‘why not leave it alone,’” she said.

Councilor Amy Clearwater, who represents Ward 5, which includes the downtown, told the audience that night to give the plan a chance.

“If we want to make sure your customers have a place to park, we have to make changes,” she said.

By charging to park in city-owned lots it takes that tax burden off the city’s property taxpayers, Councilor Norman Belanger said, as currently the cost to maintain the downtown streets and parking lots is paid for through the city’s General Fund.

In addition, he said, he believes the plan will help downtown businesses by providing more convenient parking for customers.

In response to some of the complaints about the PMP, some tweaks have been made, such as allowing those parking in the Downtown Parking Lot to park free for the first hour.

The changes encompassed through the parking plan and a potential parking garage are needed, according to city staff, because with only 2,889 combined public and private spaces in the city’s downtown and mill district there isn’t enough parking to go around.

The existing demand is for 4,200 parking spaces, according to a study by city staff, with a deficit of 1,311. Greater development in the downtown and mill district will create both higher demand and deficit of parking spaces. 

But whether the city will be able to charge for parking in city-owned lots in the long run will ultimately be up to the courts to decide.

Resident Jason Litalien filed a lawsuit in York County Superior Court in Alfred challenging the city’s right to charge to park anywhere in the downtown based on a citizens referendum passed in 2014 that banned parking meters in the downtown.

— Associate Editor Dina Mendros can be contacted at 780-9014 or dmendros@gmail.com

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