White Plains Establishes Valet Parking Ordinance
Addressing the fast changing nature of the White Plains downtown, the city council voted during its Feb. 1 meeting to pass a comprehensive valet parking ordinance to allow businesses, especially along Mamaroneck Avenue, to provide valet parking service to their customers.
“There has been an increasing interest and desire by a number of downtown businesses to provide valet parking services to their patrons,” said Mayor Tom Roach. I have advocated for valet legislation since I was first elected to the Common Council, and I am pleased to now see it come to fruition.”
Voicing her preference that a pilot program would have helped work out any problems that might occur, Councilwoman Milagros Lecuona voted along with the unanimous vote to pass the new ordinance.
A proposal in its early stages to amend the City Center site plan by its new owners Kite Realty Group includes adding valet parking drop-off on the Mamaroneck side of the development.
In a brief presentation, representatives for Kite said the changes they propose for City Center would primarily focus on the interior of the mall, opening it up with a new design of the fountain area off of Main Street for a better pedestrian experience.
The design would also include a new canopy on Mamaroneck Avenue and an opening of the City Center lobby to include an escalator for access to the upper floors. Some restaurants expressing interest in renting space in the now vacant Legal Sea Foods and Applebee’s locations require valet parking. That valet parking design would use one traffic lane and require an adjustment to some parking along Mamaroneck Avenue.
Councilmembers, pleased about the proposed opening up of the City Center lobby on Mamaroneck Avenue also asked that design consideration be given to signage that would attract visitors to the White Plains Performing Arts Center on the third floor of the facility, in addition to providing shelter for valet parking customers.
The Valet Parking ordinance includes provisions to ensure that the use of public streets for valet parking services does not impede travel, interfere with the rights of others, or cause a public nuisance; Valet operators are properly insured; and On-street valet operators are obligated to provide the service to the general public, regardless of destination.
Mayor Roach indicated that the valet operators would most likely lease parking spaces in city garages.
