Resident urges council to consider overnight parking permits for households with parking hardships

A Clawson resident urged the City Council on Aug. 19 to explore amending overnight street‑parking rules to allow permit‑based exceptions for households with demonstrated hardship, saying other nearby communities use paid permits to address the issue.

Michelle Roth, who lives on Hendrickson, said her family’s vehicles exceed driveway capacity and city staff told her many common remedies would not be approved under current ordinances. She told council members she had contacted Berkeley, St. Clair Shores, Plymouth and Huntington Woods and found permit programs there with annual fees ranging from about $20 to $400. "There are absolutely no cons to this," she said she was told by a Berkeley organizer; she asked the council to research the idea.

Why it matters: residents who build larger households or add vehicles after home expansions can face recurring street‑parking stress. Roth said permit programs reduce curb congestion, can raise small revenue, and provide relief to households with limited driveway space.

Council discussion: Councilmember Anderson said the idea is worth consideration and suggested a paid permit could be an option; no ordinance language was proposed that evening. City staff did not present a formal draft. The council did not vote; staff would need to draft an ordinance to change parking rules.

Next steps: Councilmembers indicated interest in reviewing models from neighboring cities; if requested as an agenda item staff would prepare ordinance options and enforcement details for council consideration.