Washington plans to loosen Thursday night parking rules

WASHINGTON — City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday night in favor of a first reading for new rules that would allow some overnight parking on street cleaning days, but not along the curb.

Under the proposed city ordinance changes, cars would be allowed to park overnight within a block of the square on Thursdays, but only in the streets’ center parking stalls. Currently, overnight parking is prohibited everywhere within a block of the square to make way for street sweeping equipment on Thursday nights.

The revision would not effect street parking bans during snow removal.

First Ward Council Member Bethany Glinsmann, who lives downtown, seconded the motion for a first reading. She said the change was common sense.

“It's a no-brainer to let people park in the center spaces during Thursday night street cleaning, since they only clean by the curb,” she said in a message after the meeting. “It will be a huge improvement for those of us who live near the square. No more hassle having to remember to move our cars to the public parking lots.”

Another part of the proposed changes would restrict parking in the area, however, enacting a two-hour limit on the business-side curb of South Marion Avenue, between Main Street and Washington Street. That restriction would only apply from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Saturday.

City Administrator Deanna McCusker said the newly written rule would align the city with current practice, which follows the signs already posted around the square, and identical restrictions elsewhere downtown.

“It’s already happening, it just wasn’t in the code,” she said at Tuesday night’s meeting.

The ordinance changes are expected to take effect roughly within a month, after the council completes up to three public readings of the proposal. Alternatively, Iowa law allows the city to waive the third reading if at least three fourths of its council members agree to do so. In Washington, that would take five votes.

  Buy Photo

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com