LAKEWOOD, Ohio - City Councilman David Anderson, concerned about a lack of weekend parking for some businesses, is asking council and the mayor to re-examine the policy of free weekend parking on Madison Avenue and to look for other solutions.

The ward 1 councilman has written a letter asking council and the administration to work with Madison Avenue business owners, the Madison Avenue Merchants Association and possibly other commercial districts to determine what can be done to encourage the turnover of parking spots on weekends, thus allowing for more customers to patronize Lakewood retail businesses.

"More than one Madison Avenue retail business owner has brought to my attention the challenge customers face in gaining parking access to stores on the weekends, especially Saturdays, which is often the busiest day for retail businesses," Anderson said. "It appears that some residents are parking on Madison Avenue on late Friday afternoons and not moving their cars until leaving for work on Monday mornings, which effectively turns metered weekday street parking into weekend parking lots."

Parking meters currently are enforced from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, excluding certain holidays. Nighttime and weekend parking is free.

Business investment in Lakewood's commercial districts in recent years has attracted new customers, which has contributed to the weekend parking shortage, Anderson said.

Anderson said he believes Mayor Michael Summers, in his role as public safety director, has the authority to change the enforcement hours at parking meters.

City Council President Sam O'Leary referred the parking issue to council's Public Safety Committee for discussion at an upcoming meeting.

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