Senate Doc #4589S

                                               Approved   4/13/89



                               Executive Document #4

                     Report of the Ad Hoc Parking Lot Committee





        1.  Do not proceed with lot #2.  



            Rationale:  The needs met by this lot can be satisfied in other

            ways that provide more conservative protection for the

            Botanical Gardens.  The adjacent Gardens are a unique and

            irreplaceable asset of UNCA that will grow increasingly

            precious as Asheville develops into a larger and less green

            urban center.  





        2.  Plan and build the previously considered lot across the 

            street from planned lot #2.  Reallocate residential parking for

            students.  



            Rationale:  Building a large lot in this area would be more

            economical and have less impact on the environment of the

            central campus than building the several currently projected

            smaller lots.  This lot could be landscaped and terraced with

            earth banks to be relatively attractive;  it is also

            peripheral.  

                 Much of this lot would be near the dormitories.  This new

            space and reallocation of existing parking would provide nearby

            parking for residential students.  

                 Apparently in the past the faculty felt development of

            this area for parking was undesirable, but since a need for

            additional parking does exist, it would now seem that this area

            is a lesser evil.  





        3.  Adopt the following philosophical position:  



                 In this era of environmental peril, as an educational

            institution of the highest quality, UNCA must both proclaim and

            practice the utmost care for its environment.  UNCA leads

            better by example than by mere rhetoric.  Thus, UNCA should

            actively pursue solutions to ecological problems by adopting

            policies to free its community from unnecessary dependence on

            automobiles, to institute and maintain recycling and fuel

            conservation measures, and to assume similar attitudes of

            social responsibility as appropriate.  



            Rationale:  A guiding philosophy helps decision-making.  





        4.  Investigate alternative systems.  For example; one with 

            three categories:  



                a) Residential parking

                b) Central parking

                c) Perimeter parking




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            Increase parking fees and charge significantly more for central

            parking permits.  Charge only students that choose to

            participate in the parking system.  Allow residential students

            to choose perimeter parking stickers.  



            Rationale:  Raising parking fees will decrease usage (but not

            significantly since few alternatives currently exist).  People

            who value close-in parking should pay for it.  Perimeter

            parking stickers could be attractively designed as "fitness" or

            "environmental" stickers.  





        5.  Establish a standing committee of faculty, staff, students, 

            and administration to make parking decisions and to work for

            innovative alternatives to automobiles on campus such as:  city

            bus to campus, sidewalks to campus, bike racks and bike trails,

            shuttle bus service from dorm to malls, shuttle bus service

            from downtown to campus, limits to freshman parking on campus,

            etc.  



            Rationale:  This committee would enact the philosophy of

            recommendation #3 and would decide the details of prices,

            spaces in each category, stickers in each category, etc., for

            recommendation #4.  In addition, this committee would publicize

            the need to maintain the "grid" and emphasize non-peak hour

            scheduling especially when new classroom space becomes

            available.  They could make recommendations such as building a

            parking garage under any new dormitories, etc.  





        6.  Investigate 1989-90 parking shortage options.  



            A.  Rent parking from church on Edgewood.

            B.  Schedule fewer M-W-F 11:00 classes Spring semester.

                Allow no additions at that time in Fall.

            C.  Make Edgewood lot one way with parallel parking along

                entrance and exit roads.

            D.  Make temporary lot on Weaver Boulevard right of student

                entrance road.

            E.  Make University Heights one-way again with diagonal

                parking.

            F.  Ask College for Seniors to give up M-W-F 11:00 classes,

                schedule at non-peak hours, one year only.

            G.  Legalize some currently illegal parking.  Minimize

                erosion by using gravel in sensitive spots.



            Rationale:  Although lot #2 could be built by Fall 1989,

            a new lot cannot be built before Fall 1990.  Temporary

            measures to provide interim parking are desirable.