Memorandum
City of Lawrence
City Attorney’s Office
TO: Dave Corliss, City Manager
FROM: Chad J. Sublet, Assistant City Attorney
Cc: Toni Wheeler, City Attorney
DATE: Tuesday, April 03, 2012
RE: Ordinance No. 8725: Large Vehicle Parking
BACKGROUND
Over the last few weeks, the City has received several phone calls regarding the health and safety risks posed by large vehicles and recreational vehicles parking adjacent to South Park.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE
Ordinance No. 8725 would make it unlawful to park a large vehicle or recreational vehicle on the following streets at any time:
1. Massachusetts Street, 11th Street to South Park Street;
2. South Park Street, Vermont Street to New Hampshire Street;
3. Vermont Street, South Park Street to 11th Street.
A large vehicle is defined as any vehicle, trailer or combination of vehicle and trailer exceeding eight (8) feet in width, or twenty (20) feet in length, or eight (8) feet in height. Other vehicles prohibited from parking on the streets designated above are motorized self-propelled campers, non-motorized travel trailers and recreational vehicles. An exception exists for large vehicles or recreational vehicles that are actively loading or unloading or performing a service upon the property abutting the area where the vehicle is parked.
Violation of this ordinance would result in a $50.00 fine. After the second violation in a 10 day period, notice would be placed on the vehicle that a third violation in 10 days would result in the vehicle being towed.
ALTERNATIVE
An alternative to this ordinance would be placing parking meters at the specified locations. This may deter some individuals from parking at the identified locations; however, individuals could continuously feed the parking meters and remain in the specified location indefinitely.
ACTION REQUESTED
Adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 8725, relating to large vehicle parking.