Concern Over Public Parking in Dormont

Patch is looking into a business owner’s concern that public parking spaces in Dormont Borough are being sold to businesses, to be used specifically by that business.

Sergio Pampena, owner of in Dormont, said he became concerned when he returned to work after the New Year and noticed that spaces in the public lot behind his business had been sold to Dormont Appliance.

“The intention of metered parking is to bring patrons to the area and patronize local businesses,” Pampena said. “It’s not for a business to purchase spots for their own business.”

Pampena said that when he questioned why the spaces were sold, borough manager Gino Rizza told Pampena that he could buy spots for his business, too. Pampena said he didn’t think it would be appropriate to do so, because it could jeopardize parking for other local businesses.

“It’s strangling the businesses,” he said. “Not every business around here can afford to do this.”

He said he also is concerned because he doesn’t feel he was adequately notified that the borough would sell public parking spots.

Council President Bill McCartney said he is aware of the issue, and plans to have council and the Traffic and Parking Planning Commission take a second look at the ordinance that allows the borough to sell the spaces.

He said the ordinance was passed by last year, and he wants to put a hold on the sale of parking spaces until council and the commission can address the issue properly.

“We need to put a hold on doing any further sales of those spaces,” McCartney said. “We need to take a look at what the policy really is. We’ve got to look at all the lots and determine if it makes sense to sell passes or permits at all.”

McCartney said the topic is an agenda item for both the Jan. 30 and Feb. 6 meetings.

Check back with Dormont-Brookline Patch for updates on this issue.