Woodstock Crafting Policy After Vehicles Were Towed During Concert

WOODSTOCK, GA -- A decision by a property owner to tow vehicles parked in a private lot has forced the city of Woodstock to tackle the subject on a broader scale.

Several patrons attending the March 18 show at MadLife Stage & Studios had the unfortunate experience of having their vehicles towed from a private parking lot, a series of events that brought the issue before the City Council at its March 20 meeting.

According to the city, MadLife had a concert Saturday evening, and some attending the show decided to park in a private parking lot directly to the south of the venue.

According to City Manager Jeff Moon, the property owner contacted a towing company to remove the vehicles parked in the lot.

"The owner communicated that the main concern was tenants not having the ability to utilize their own parking," Brian Stockton, director of Woodstock's Office of Economic Development, told Patch.

MadLife's owners reached out to the city to inform them what happened, and Woodstock police Capt. Mark Hand was asked to review the signs posted on the property warning residents against parking in the lot unless they were utilizing companies in the building.

Capt. Hand determined the language on the sign to be "legally sufficient" in meeting notice requirements under the state's code, the city manager stated. Following that call, Moon asked staff to conduct research and present some ideas to the City Council during Monday's meeting.

One route Woodstock could take is to model its proposed ordinance after the city of Decatur, which places a cap on towing fees, prohibits booting and defines when companies can tow cars away. For example, Decatur's ordinance prohibits companies from towing vehicles when motorists appear before the truck pulls off.

This rule would have been a relief to at least one motorist if it were in effect. That patron, Moon said, came out of MadLife and "almost got into a fight" with a wrecker who had the man's vehicle on the truck.

Staff's concern, the city manager said, would be to strike a balance between the rights of property owners to restrict parking and those who are coming into the city to enjoy a night on the town.

City Councilman Rob Usher, who said he attended Saturday's show and parked in the private lot, said he and his passengers read the signs posted in the lot "many times."

Usher added he was fortunate enough to get into his vehicle and leave the premises before his personal property was towed.

The wording on the signs, he said, isn't very clear, as it references "improperly parked vehicles." That could mean vehicles that are parked outside the lines, he added.

Usher added he doesn't have an issue with property owners having towing policies, but said the language on signs posted in lots needs to be clear to the "average person."

Moon said the city will work on presenting a draft ordinance by the city's April 10 meeting.

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