In an effort to make downtown Morgan Hill more accessible and improve the visitor experience, the city is launching a new downtown parking strategy that will designate 18 spaces on side streets near Monterey Road as 20-minute short-term parking.
The spaces will be identified with green curb markings, street markings and new signs, says a press release from the City of Morgan Hill. City staff said the marked spots are intended for quick customer errands, passenger drop-offs and pickups, and food deliveries.
The strategy is designed to increase turnover at prime curbside spaces while encouraging employees and business owners to use other parking areas downtown, city officials said.
The city said studies have found about 2,500 parking spaces downtown, including more than 1,200 free public spaces that are within a short walk to downtown businesses, parks and destinations. “(Prime) curbside spots require active management to prevent all-day occupation by employees and ensure steady turnover for local businesses,” says the press release.
The parking strategy follows direction from the City Council and recommendations in the Downtown Parking Update, Station Area Master Plan and recent parking studies.
A “Closer Than You Think” public education campaign will run through January and promote downtown parking options through maps, window posters, digital displays, social media and outreach to businesses, city staff said. The city is coordinating with the Downtown Association, Downtown Morgan Hill Improvement District and Chamber of Commerce.
Downtown resident Benjamin Bogert said parking is generally accessible for residents and visitors.
“I love living in Downtown Morgan Hill because there’s always something to do,” Bogert said. “Some of my favorite restaurants are within walking distance, and parking is always easy to find when friends and family come to visit.”
The city plans to install the new signs, green curbs and pavement markings in late October. A 60-day courtesy period will follow in November and December, during which parking enforcement officers will issue warnings instead of citations.
Full enforcement and citations are scheduled to begin in January and February 2027, according to city officials.
Lesley Miles, co-developer and partner in the Granary District, said downtown has had two-hour parking limits for more than two decades, but they have not been consistently observed or enforced.
“Enforcement of these existing time-limited areas and the inclusion of a few 20-minute spaces for quick access for businesses like a coffee shop will make downtown a much more viable retail and restaurant hub,” Miles said.
