The Dunedin City Council is proposing to change the layout of parking along Russell St to provide increased on-street parking.
The proposal would change the layout across various sections of the southern half of the street from parallel to angled parking, which would increase parking within the area from 37 to about 65 spaces.
Mr Hawkins said Russell St was already "reasonably narrow" in places, and it was not clear how easy it would be for two lanes of traffic to operate within an even narrower window.
The street contained an early childhood centre — a total of three in the wider neighbourhood, along with two primary schools and three high schools — and there was no discussion of the relative safety merits of the changes.
He believed angled parking could provide "a more dangerous environment for road users".
There was also no discussion of how the proposal related to the council’s wider plans and strategies.
"As such, it is unclear what the problem is that’s trying to be solved here.
"There is no demonstrable need for additional on-street parking to serve the local neighbourhood, because it’s not currently at capacity."
There was also no demonstrable need for more commuter parking servicing the city centre, "if the tumbleweeds blowing through the St Andrew St carpark are anything to go by".
Most days, more than half of these parks were empty — which was more latent capacity than what was being proposed in Russell St, Mr Hawkins said.
"Our street is expected to wear the increased safety risk, and a not insignificant impact on amenity, so it can be turned into a ‘free’ carpark for the suburban workforce."
Russell St property owner Heidi Greenfield, who supported the proposal, requested a block of parking for residents be provided outside 52-58 Russell St.
"I am aware that there is a new cafe planned ... over the road from us, which we thoroughly support, but I am concerned that demand on parking near the cafe will create an issue for on-street parking in the vicinity of our place."
Tansy Hayden also said she supported the changes.
She and her husband were beginning the process of applying for resource consent to transform the former Russell St corner store into a cafe — called Tomboy.
"We welcome more parking on Russell St."
Others said more parking would make it easier to drop their children off at the daycare, would take the pressure off finding parks, and supported angled parking on only one side of the street.
