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Council debates lifting 2–5 a.m. parking restriction; 36‑hour move‑vehicle amendment advances but ordinance approval stalls
Summary
Councilors debated removing the town’s longstanding 'no parking' window and replacing it with a rule barring vehicles from remaining parked on town streets for more than 36 consecutive hours; an amendment to add a 36‑hour limit passed on an amendment vote but a subsequent motion to approve the ordinance as amended failed for lack of a second.
Whiteland — The council revisited a long‑running “no parking” provision that had prohibited overnight street parking during specified hours and discussed replacing it with a less rigid rule intended to address complaints about long‑term vehicle storage on neighborhood streets.
A council member proposed replacing the time‑window restriction with a provision that “no vehicle may remain parked on a town street or right of way for more than 36 consecutive hours without being relocated off of the right of way or town street for at least 24 consecutive hours.” Council debate focused on enforcement practicality, signage, narrow subdivisions and emergency access during snow and flood events.
Concerns raised included the risk of partisan or vexatious neighbor complaints, the impact of parked vehicles on newly paved road edges and curbless streets, and the need to preserve fire‑ and emergency‑access clearances on narrow roads. Town staff noted the existing ordinance already bans parking during snow events and said an enforcement log and neighbor complaint would typically trigger police action.
Council action and outcome: the council first voted on an amendment to add the 36‑hour relocation clause; that amendment passed in a roll call vote. A subsequent motion to approve the parking ordinance as amended failed for lack of a second, leaving the current ordinance in place. Council members discussed returning the matter to a future meeting after additional drafting and outreach.
What it means: the council did not repeal or replace the existing overnight prohibition at this meeting. Staff and members said they would revisit drafting and signage, and suggested the police department would retain discretion to act on long‑term parking complaints in the interim.
Ending: council members called for better public engagement on parking policy and for staff to refine language that balances neighborhood access, emergency response needs and fairness of enforcement.
