Winter Parking Ban

Dear Neighbors

The one topic no one wants to deal with in this city is residential and winter parking enforcement.  When someone parks on the street in front of their house, they are in reality parking on Public Property.  A street is Public Way.  It is a privilege, not a right to be able to park in front of your house.

This city was never built for this many cars and for those who move here it comes with the territory of "moving into a city".  When you rent here it comes with the territory.  If your landlord does not give you a space on the property he or she must notify you in the lease and you are so notified.  I have a tenant and it is drawn out in the lease that he has one off street parking and that he parks at his own risk in the street in front of the house.  So I know from whence I speak.  I pay a $10 parking fee every year for nothing, because we have no residential parking enforcement.  Buyer or renter beware.  I paid more when I rented so that I had one off street parking, I have been on both sides of this coin. 

I believe that going down to a one sided parking for 4 months as the current winter parking ban is reasonable, but only during "emergencies" isn't going to work. You are also not gearing them to increased parking enforcement for the future. The council tonight set a bad precedent.  The Street in front of house is Public Property in most cases, except maybe private ways but that is still debatable.  

It is the responsibility of the city to keep the roads clear.

Respectfully,

Jeanne Martin