The Ordinance Committee approved signage limiting four parking spaces in front of the police station for people conducting police business, with a one-hour limit, and asked the city engineer to confirm striping, crosswalk legality and accessible-parking placement.

Committee members and police staff said the intended spaces should be reserved for people coming to the station to file reports, pick up permits or complete other short visits. Sergeant Bartolome told the committee that without signage those curbside spaces risk being occupied by neighboring residents or long-term parkers after nearby residential development is completed.

Committee votes and next steps
Councilors voted to designate the area as “restricted parking — visitors and police business only” with a maximum one-hour limit. The committee asked the city engineer to examine the existing crosswalk immediately in front of the station (staff noted one crosswalk lacked handicap curb cutouts and therefore is not currently legal) and to supply measurements on whether an additional accessible parking stall is feasible once crosswalk work is finalized. The committee also asked that signage language be prepared by the law department and included a request that the police be able to enforce the restriction under the ordinance.

Why it matters
Police staff said reserved short-term parking will ease public access to the station’s front door for seniors and people dropping off documentation, particularly after new housing projects next door increase local demand for curb parking.

Ending
The committee tabled the final ordinance sign language pending measurement and engineering input and asked staff to return with striping and accessibility options.