Clinton council approves temporary no-parking on North 13th Street, asks staff to pursue citywide parking rules

The Clinton City Council voted Sept. 9 to establish a temporary no-parking zone on the west side of the 1200 block of North 13th Street from Ridgecrest Drive to the first driveway north (near 704 North 13th Street), with the restriction set to expire Nov. 15.

Councilmember John Davis introduced the resolution, saying traffic-safety staff and residents had requested action after large vehicles regularly blocked sight lines and driveways. After extended discussion among council members and multiple residents who said a single neighbor regularly parked large recreational vehicles and trailers in front of nearby homes, the council amended the resolution to make the restriction temporary until Nov. 15 to give time for a broader ordinance change.

Why it matters: Council members and residents said the case on North 13th is part of a wider pattern of oversized vehicles, RVs and trailers being left on public streets, causing sight-line and driveway-access problems across Clinton. Council members asked staff and police to develop options — including short-term permitting and stricter limits on long-term on-street storage of RVs, campers and boats — to apply citywide.

Council debate and public comment: The discussion ran for more than an hour. Several residents spoke from the floor. Judy Callahan (1300 Ridgecrest Drive) described repeated parking by a neighbor’s trailer and RV, saying, “The kid that owns this parks there all the time. He doesn't move. He... has a trailer that's on the back half of this plus another trailer plus his parking vehicles and nobody can park at all.” Lucy Harrison (705 North 13th Street) said she has lived at that address 23 years and described difficulty getting out of her driveway because of the parked vehicles.

Council members voiced two main concerns: (1) immediate safety and access problems at the specific site and (2) the need for a durable, citywide policy so ad hoc signs do not become permanent solutions without clear rules. Several members supported a short-term sign while staff develops an ordinance amendment. Councilmember Musman urged a working group to develop permitting and enforcement details; others said any permit system should include an obvious, enforceable placard or sticker for quick police checks.

Outcome and next steps: The council passed the amendment making the no-parking designation temporary until Nov. 15, then approved the resolution as amended by roll call (unanimous). Council directed staff to return with options for citywide changes to parking rules, including possible temporary permits (examples discussed in session included 72-hour permits) and ordinance edits to prohibit long-term storage of RVs and similar large vehicles on public streets.

Context and limits: The council noted an existing ordinance provision that allows motor homes and recreation vehicles to be parked on the street from March 16 to Nov. 14 each year (with overnight restrictions), a provision several council members and residents flagged as inconsistent with resident expectations. Councilmembers agreed the ordinance language — not available in full at the meeting — needs revision. No new fines or enforcement procedures were adopted at the Sept. 9 meeting; staff was directed to bring draft ordinance language and enforcement options back to council for further consideration.

Ending: Staff said they will prepare proposed ordinance language and a plan for enforcement and present those options to council at a future meeting so any permanent change can be adopted before the temporary signs expire.