Alachua County commissioners voted Jan. 7 to install no‑commercial‑vehicle‑parking signs at locations where long‑term truck parking has drawn repeated complaints and to ask staff to bring back code revisions to make enforcement easier.

The move follows a staff presentation and multiple commissioners’ accounts of semis and box trucks that stop or remain for extended periods in county rights of way, including along Southeast 35th Street and near the Spring Hill Publix. "We have had some reports from the community in a couple of areas about commercial vehicles being parked in the right of way," said Chris Dawson, principal planner for Development Services at Alachua County Growth Management. Dawson described examples he had photographed and said some vehicles had expired tags or had been sitting for long periods.

County staff and commissioners said two problems limit enforcement: (1) the county’s land development code contains an older provision that broadly prohibits parking in rights of way but is inconsistent with state statute and with other county rules that authorize marked on‑street parking; and (2) the sheriff’s office enforces activity in rights of way while county code enforcement enforces on private property. "Our code doesn't provide for it right now," D. Daniels, assistant county manager, told the board, adding that codes staff have worked with the sheriff’s office to address particular vehicles but often lack the vehicle‑ownership data or signage needed to make enforcement straightforward.

Why it matters: residents and business owners said truck parking has created safety and nuisance problems in specific commercial corridors, while commissioners worried that a blanket prohibition could be impractical for truck operators who have legitimate short‑term needs. "Finding some way to provide for some accommodation for individuals whose job it is to drive trucks seems reasonable," Commissioner Privee said during the discussion, noting concerns about drivers who are home briefly and cannot park on narrow residential lots.

What the board directed: Commissioner Privee moved — and the board approved — a motion asking staff to install no‑parking signs directed specifically at commercial vehicles in problem areas and to return with a list of locations and proposed code revisions to align county rules with state statute and to allow marked on‑street parking where appropriate. Commissioners identified Southwest 35th Street and the Spring Hill (Publix) area as priority locations to sign immediately. The board also asked staff to coordinate with the sheriff's office on enforcement capacity and to explore whether designated public lots or other accommodations (including discussions with industry or truck stop operators) might reduce pressure on residential streets.

What staff said about next steps: Dawson and Assistant County Manager Daniels said staff will produce a list of specific locations for immediate signage, consult with the sheriff’s office on enforceable sign wording and placement, and draft amendments to the land development code to clarify where marked on‑street parking is permitted, how commercial vehicles are defined for enforcement, and how the county will handle on‑street parking that is currently shown in older permitting documents. County engineer Ramon Gabarotti told the board that roads posted as "no trucks" previously used an 11‑foot lane width criterion from the Florida Green Book and that signage is handled per the county traffic sign program; staff later agreed to verify specific sign placements and return with an update.

Public comment and enforcement concerns: residents who spoke during public comment urged clearer and faster enforcement, including assigned officers for problem corridors. A public commenter suggested the county consider hiring dedicated enforcement capacity if the sheriff’s office cannot meet demand. Daniels said codes staff have left notices on some vehicles and have worked with the sheriff to remove clearly abandoned vehicles; the sheriff will typically act where no‑parking signage is posted and visible.

What the vote did and did not do: the board approved targeted signage and a staff directive to pursue code clean‑up and enforcement coordination. The vote did not create a new county ordinance banning all truck parking nor did it prescribe a permit system; those are items staff will return to the board for drafting and further direction.

Why this will matter going forward: staff said code revisions that make clear where marked on‑street parking is allowed (and where it is not) should help the sheriff’s office and county staff enforce parking violations consistently. Commissioners also asked staff to investigate longer‑term options such as county‑operated truck parking or partnerships with private facilities to reduce ad hoc truck use of residential rights of way.