Public Safety Committee approves 1-hour, "park use only" parking rule for Salter Road Pocket Park

The Homewood City Public Safety Committee voted 5-0 March 17 to approve an ordinance restricting parking at Salter Road Pocket Park to park users and imposing a one-hour time limit.

Members said neighbors and park users have complained that students and others have been parking in the pocket park for extended periods, sometimes blocking work by contractors. Councilor Mills, who brought the request, said residents had reported daytime parking that later shifted to vehicles parking in the park itself. "On occasion, we have had, at first, we had residents calling saying that there was a lot of parking during the day," Mills said.

A resident who described themselves as an eyewitness said playground installation materials were delivered the day of the meeting but workers could not use a parking space because vehicles were present. The resident said public safety checked license plates and identified two students who had been parking at the site since the semester began.

Committee members discussed enforcement and agreed a short time limit would make enforcement simpler for police than trying to determine whether a particular vehicle belonged to a student. One member said a one-hour limit would be easier to enforce and likely deter repeat offenders. Members also said signs stating the ordinance would have to be posted at the park.

A motion to adopt a one-hour parking limit and restrict the parking spaces to "park use only" was made and seconded; the committee approved the motion by a 5-0 vote. Committee members said signage must be posted at the park to notify drivers of the restriction.

With the vote, the committee closed its discussion of the item and adjourned the public safety meeting.