ROYAL OAK (WWJ) - Faced with heaping criticism from residents and other community members, the city of Royal Oak announced it will adjustments to its infamous Sentry Parking system.
The city approved measures to extend both grace limits for on-street parking in Royal Oak in "an effort to enhance guests' parking experience."
The extension to free parking, also know as the grace period, will go from five minutes to 15 minutes while maximum time limits at the meter will extend from two hours to three.
Changes come after visitors, residents and businesses owners complained for months about notices coming in the mail informing them of their parking infractions. WWJ's Jackie Paige said even she was slapped with an "egregious" $20 fine late last year for going over five minutes.
City officials said the changes will be completed by the end of April as it will take time to reprogram out the meters and signs to reflect the new time limits.
"Free parking will also be available on Juneteenth, as part of free parking on all Civic Holidays." the city added in a release.
Royal Oak has heard thousands of complaints about the Sentry Parking System, prompting the city to conduct studies and hire a consultant to get to the bottom of the problem.
“We have heard feedback from residents, business owners and visitors to Royal Oak that making modifications to the grace period and extended time limits for on-street parking will make a positive impact on those parking and visiting our vibrant community,” said Paul Brake, City Manager for the City of Royal Oak. “We understand that there have been some frustrations and challenges around the MPS parking meters, and ultimately, our goal is to make parking as user-friendly as it can be, and we believe that these two things will improve the user experience.”
The Royal Oak City Commission and the City of Royal Oak are still discussing possible changes to the reverse-angle parking on Washington Ave.
No changes will be implemented in those spaces at this time.
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