Parking commission upholds ticket for driver who obstructed crosswalk

A driver who told the New Canaan Parking Commission he was on a fixed income and making a food delivery had his appeal denied Thursday for a citation issued for obstructing a crosswalk.

The commission declined to overturn the citation after members described the location as a hazardous intersection for pedestrians and said leaving a vehicle in a crosswalk creates a safety hazard.

Kevin Hall, the commission secretary, explained procedures and said the panel would hear the appeal before deliberating. The appellant, who identified himself in the hearing as Mr. Deljudez, said he was making a delivery for a food app and that his car was running when he left it briefly. “I know I was in a no parking zone. I know I was in the wrong spot. I’m just asking for mercy,” Deljudez said, citing medical bills and low monthly income.

A parking enforcement officer described the vehicle as stopping “in the crosswalk” and said the location is a difficult intersection for pedestrians. Commissioner John (title not specified) said he was “very sympathetic” to the appellant’s financial circumstances but that a car in that crosswalk would make the intersection “even more difficult and dangerous” for pedestrians.

After discussion the commission voted to uphold the citation (deny the appeal). Commissioners said the commission’s role is to balance sympathy for hardship with public-safety obligations; several commissioners noted they would consider broader policy questions about short-term stopping for deliveries in later meetings but ruled that parking in a crosswalk could not be excused at this hearing.

The commission told Deljudez it would provide the written decision and follow up the next day.

The ruling only addressed the citation before the commission; members noted broader questions about delivery drivers’ needs and curbside loading rules would be discussed separately at future meetings.