The "reserved" signs are probably about to come off Columbus parking meters.

A proposed rule endorsed yesterday by the city's Transportation and Pedestrian Commission would limit the bulk purchase of time at city meters, ending a deal in which the Ohio Democratic Party paid more than $7,100 to block off spaces outside its Downtown headquarters through Election Day.

If the policy is accepted by Public Service Director Mark Kelsey, orange no-parking hoods will be taken off 25 Fulton Street meters that the Democrats had reserved since July. The party will get the rest of its money back, city officials said.

Under the plan, city parking meters would be blocked only for construction sites, loading zones, valet-parking operations and special events.

Businesses couldn't buy up spots for their employees' convenience, said Patti Austin, the city's transportation administrator. Even in construction zones, blocked-off spaces couldn't be used by contractors' employees.

"That's not an appropriate use," Austin told the commission. "They can use the Downtown parking garages like anyone else."

Mayor Michael B. Coleman, a Democrat himself, ordered officials to come up with a parking-meter policy after the Ohio Democratic Party's neighbors around Fulton and Grant Avenue complained about the row of reserved parking.

Democrats and their fellow party members at City Hall insisted there were no favors asked or given.

Party Chairman Chris Redfern said party workers asked the city's permits office about buying parking after he noticed orange-hooded meters outside a Downtown restaurant. Democrats paid $7,170 -- what the 25 meters would bring in for the city if someone was parking at them every minute they're in operation.

They normally bring in one-sixth that amount, according to Assistant Public Service Director Mary Carran Webster.

Coleman spokesman Dan Williamson said the mayor will review the new policy. He had told public-service officials to develop a policy that's "fair, consistent and transparent."

The recommendation to Kelsey also would require applicants to tell neighbors when they want to block off more than five spaces for more than a day, or if they want to block off any number of spaces for more than two weeks.

rvitale@dispatch.com