But the process of dealing with complaints in the extended dispute is not over.
The Dunedin City Council said more changes were possible as it continued to deal with all the concerns raised by individual businesses, but would not release the specifics at a press conference yesterday.
Instead, it would wait until the process was finished, Cr Michael Guest said.
Cr Guest was at pains to explain those parking at all pay-and-display meters had five minutes' grace before they would be given a ticket.
He also reiterated P5 loading zones could be used by all vehicles to set down or pick up, and with the five-minute "period of grace" before a ticket was given, there was a 10-minute window before incurring a fine.
Four city hotels that had complained about the effect on their businesses were now "satisfied" with the changes, he said.
But Leviathan Hotel owner Peter Laing, who hosted the angry meeting of businesses last month that forced the issue into the spotlight, said he was not satisfied, and was still waiting for his issues to be dealt with.
Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Christie said some businesses were probably benefiting from the new regime, and the chamber was waiting for a response at an individual level from businesses.
The council held the press conference yesterday to announce the results of weeks of meetings with councillors, staff, the Chamber of Commerce, business representatives and people affected by the changes.
City environment manager Tony Avery said about two-thirds of the 100 complaints received had been worked through, and the principles and ground rules laid for further decisions.
A three-month analysis of data received from the new machines in September would give the council an idea of parking trends.
Data received so far contradicted anecdotal evidence, and showed an average time for parking was about 33 minutes.
Cr Guest said some businesses wanted a return to free parking outside their shops.
"That's not going to happen."
If commuters or campervans were using the parks for long-term parking, "which we don't want", there could be a decision to cut the maximum time to two hours.
Asked how the council would deal with businesses claiming a loss of earnings, Cr Guest said it would consider their issues, "but they would have to make their case".
Once the council had worked through business concerns, it would consider residential parking, though that was "a vexed question", Cr Guest said.
If every home, unit or apartment in the central city had a parking space on the street there would not be enough for everyone else.
"We just simply can't do that," Cr Guest said.
Mr Laing said he and other representatives of 120 businesses and business groups had met the council on July 28, and he was waiting for a response.
Mr Avery said work on the new loading zones would start this weekend.
THE CONCESSIONS
• Loading zone spaces increased from 32 to 54, with a further six possible.
• Five-minute "period of grace" on all pay-and-display machines and P5 loading zones, allowing free parking for five minutes.
• P5 loading zones no longer limited to goods and service vehicles; any vehicle may use them to set down or pick up. With five-minute "period of grace", that gives 10 minutes.
• If a van or truck, for instance, is "genuinely unloading", P5 time is automatically extended.
• Cheapest and best option is parking buildings, council says.
