Parking commission upholds ticket after driver says she unknowingly mounted curb

The New Canaan Parking Commission on Feb. 5 voted to uphold a $50 parking ticket issued Jan. 14 to a resident who told the panel she did not realize her vehicle’s rear was on a sidewalk curb in the Locust parking lot.

Allison, the appellant, told the commission she parked in a short curbside space across from the fire station and “had no idea I was on the curb” when she left for a Pilates class. “I was being completely honest because I had no idea,” Allison said. “I really don't.”

The commission reviewed the photo that accompanied the citation and remarks from Parking Department staff. Stacy, a parking department staff member, said the curb at that location is a “regular curb” and that the picture on the ticket shows the rear of the vehicle mostly on the sidewalk. “Well, Allison, you went over the curb,” Stacy said during the hearing.

Commission members noted visible pavement striping and the photograph that accompanied the ticket. One commissioner said a rearview camera likely would have alerted Allison. “When I looked at that picture as well… I was thinking about her turning off the rear camera, because I think she would have seen that she was on the sidewalk,” a commissioner said.

After discussion, a commissioner moved for a vote and the commission voted to uphold the citation. Commissioners said the location and the striping made the boundary of the stall readable in the ticket photo; the panel did not accept the appellant’s claim that she had not felt the curb.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve minutes of the Jan. 8 meeting — approved (motion made and minutes approved on the record). - Appeal of Jan. 14 parking citation (Allison) — commission voted to uphold the ticket. - Motion to adjourn meeting — passed.

The commission chair said staff will notify Allison by email of the decision.

Context and next steps Commissioners and staff suggested the Locust spot is tight and potentially confusing. Several commissioners noted that the town’s striping and the photo in the citation supported enforcement. Allison said she will photograph the curb area herself on her next visit. The commission did not change the parking configuration during the meeting. The panel also discussed other agenda items later in the session, including planned resurfacing and restriping projects for town lots.

Closing note The commission concluded the hearing and closed the appeal. Staff said they will follow up with the appellant by email with the written decision and any instructions for payment or appeal review.