BOISE, Idaho (AP) — City leaders in Boise are putting the brakes on a plan to raise rates for parking in metered sections of the city's downtown. The City Council's decision to take more time to study the rate hike and new enforcement rules came after a three-hour public hearing Tuesday.

The city's proposal was largely panned by business advocates, entrepreneurs and residents as greedy and counterproductive to helping downtown retailers. The proposal considered by the council would increase parking at some meters to $1.50 for the first hour and $3 for the second hour, with a two-hour maximum.

A one-year pilot program would also expand the hours and days the city charged for metered parking. Proponents of the plan say it's designed to encourage more parking turnover in front of downtown stores.

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