Short North valets might be sent off-street

clipped from www.dispatch.com By Mark Ferenchik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH If Columbus officials get their way, valet companies will be forced to park cars on off-street lots by 2011. That should ease congestion along Short North streets and prevent confrontations between valets and visitors vying for on-street parking spots, the city officials say. But some valet companies say such rules will hurt smaller companies that lack easy access to lots in a neighborhood known for its lack of parking. "That's going to be a real problem in that area. They already don't have parking lots available," said Michael Nitenson, who owns Elite Valet Parking. Valet companies and Short North business owners recently met with city officials to discuss proposed changes to valet policies that were last updated in 1991. One of the main changes would be that valet permits would require private parking agreements by 2011, giving valet companies and restaurants time to find private lots, said city public-service spokesman Rick Tilton.