Council holds first reading on overnight parking restriction near Barlow Street Park; neighbors to be consulted before second reading

Councilors advanced a first reading Tuesday of an ordinance to prohibit overnight parking along the Barlow Street Park corridor after neighbors reported late‑night loitering and short vehicle stops associated with nearby housing.

City staff said the proposal would restrict parking along the park and adjacent travel corridor during overnight hours (the ordinance text as drafted used midnight to 5 a.m.). Neighbors attending the meeting described people using the parking strip for brief exchanges, eating and leaving garbage; staff said the restriction would give police a clear enforcement tool to ask cars to leave during enforced hours.

Debate and next steps: some councilors suggested shifting the start time to 11 p.m. to better match common park‑closing hours or to align with existing park hours. Staff agreed to drive by the area during relevant hours and to seek neighbor input, particularly from residents who depend on nearby parking. The second reading will return to council after staff checks neighbor preferences and confirms sign placement.

Why this matters: the ordinance is aimed at balancing residents’ quality‑of‑life concerns and nearby parking needs against public‑space access. Councilors emphasized that permitted events and daytime parking would not be affected by the overnight restriction and said the measure is meant to be an enforcement tool, not a broad prohibition of park use.

Outcome: first reading advanced; staff to refine the hour window, confirm sign locations and return with a revised ordinance for second reading at a future council meeting.