Mallard Point residents seek one-side parking restriction amid emergency-access concerns

Mount Vernon’s Streets and Public Buildings committee on the city council agenda heard residents and city staff describe repeated on‑street parking on both sides of Mallard Point that, they say, limits passage for large emergency vehicles and interferes with mail delivery.

Tanner, a city staff member presenting the matter to council, said the request came from the Mallard Point homeowners association and that the city conducted a 60‑day temporary trial to assess whether restricting on‑street parking to one side would be appropriate. The staff review included consultation with emergency services and public works about whether the neighborhood’s street width could safely accommodate vehicles plus the city’s largest emergency vehicles.

"We decided to do a 60 day temporary, trial to see if this would be, something worthwhile to pursue," Tanner said. He told council staff confirmed emergency vehicles would have difficulty passing if two cars were parked on both sides and that residents have off‑street parking in driveways.

Bill Walls, a Mallard Point HOA board member, said three households on Mallard Point regularly have multiple cars parked on both sides of the street. "Our concern is getting emergency vehicles through ... and they wouldn't be able to get the largest safety vehicles through there," Walls said.

Assistant Chief Burns of the city’s public safety staff told council officers had made contact with residents and that police and safety staff are sympathetic to special‑needs situations but that repeated overnight and multi‑day parking on both sides presents the main problem.

Committee members said that during the 60‑day trial staff had not received sustained opposition and had received several supportive calls. Staff emphasized that until parking restrictions are posted with signage and curb markings the city cannot issue tickets; the temporary trial was intended to collect feedback and allow council to decide whether to adopt a permanent ordinance.

The committee recommended advancing a formal ordinance restricting parking on one side of Mallard Point to a future council reading. At the legislative portion of the meeting, the same item received a second reading; council scheduled a third reading before a final vote.

Ending: Council members asked residents of Mallard Point to attend the next meeting or submit comments to the mayor’s office and safety service staff before the third reading. No final ordinance vote occurred at this session.