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Board rejects limited parking change after neighbors and meeting organizers clash on Union Street
Summary
A proposed ordinance to alter parking near a meeting location on East Union Street failed 4–1 June 17 after neighbors described blocked driveways and late-night crowds while organizers and other aldermen said the street offers sufficient parking for attendees.
The Board of Aldermen voted 1–4 June 17 to reject bill 5273, a proposed change to parking near East Union Street that had been requested after residents said attendees at a recurring organized meeting were occupying curb spaces near homes.
Resident Pat Grimm told the board he lives at 219 East Union and said vehicles associated with the meetings often block driveways and leave litter. "They are parked in front of her driveway. There is anywhere from 5 to 20 vehicles on that street, especially at night," Grimm said at the podium. He described vehicles blocking driveways and said he found liquor bottles and other refuse in front of his home.
Representatives of the meeting organization and several aldermen said they had observed available parking before and during meetings and expressed concern that restricting parking could impede access for people seeking help at that site. One alderman urged empathy for those attending the meeting and warned that limiting nearby parking could make attending harder for people in need.
Aldermen voted on bill 5273 by roll call. The clerk recorded votes as: Madrigal — aye; Stewart — no; Hovan/Hoven — no; Lesh — no; Kelly — no. With a 1–4 result the measure failed and did not change parking rules.
Why it matters: The vote leaves existing parking regulations in place, but aldermen directed city staff and police to continue enforcement of driveway-blocking and to pursue possible options such as neighborhood parking zones during a planned street reconstruction project that may allow re-striping or other changes.
What’s next: Police and staff will follow up with enforcement against vehicles that block driveways and explore possible longer-term solutions as part of a street reconstruction project for East Union expected in the near term.
