The issue before the Council Monday night was an ordinance that would restrict parking for 4 spaces on the north side of Sixth St., just east if I Ave. for the residents of the two homes close to those spaces.
People walking on the Guemes Ferry routinely park along Sixth, forcing nearby residents to park a block or two away from their homes. This even as spaces in the adjacent ferry parking lot go empty. So, the city, in an effort to help the residents of the two homes closest to the ferry landing, decided to ban parking there, except for residents of those houses.
But, the issue ran into trouble at the Council. Erica Pickett, pointing to current guidelines on towing illegally parked cars, said “If they let me park for 72 hours, then we don’t have anything here. I’m going to vote no.”
Currently, the city waits 3 days before towing illegally-parked cars, which would allow someone to park in a restricted spot for the weekend, with the only worry being a ticket. Police Chief Bonnie Bowers told the Council, “In most cases cases, a car has to be parked 3 days before being towed.” She added that similar restrictions around the high school seem to work fairly well.
In discussing the 72-hour issue, Bill Turner said, “I’m reluctant to start towing cars. Let’s see how this works out.” Mayor Dean Maxwell agreed and urged the Council to approve the restrictions and see how things go. “I don’t think anyone is going to park there and come back 2 days later and expect to find their car.”
Council member Cynthia Richardson said, “The 72-hour limit doesn’t seem to comport with the ordinance’s intent.”
Maxwell said the issue would be taken up by the City’s Traffic Safety Committee. Earlier in the meeting, a nearby resident Boshie Morris told the Council there continue to be street parking problems in the area of the Guemes Ferry.
Meanwhile, Pickett and Nick Petrish voted against the new parking restrictions.