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Woodstock mayor outlines proposed parking‑deck rules and EV‑charging restrictions; ordinance to be introduced for readings
Summary
Mayor Michael Caldwell presented draft rules for the downtown parking deck and companion electric‑vehicle charging station conditions and asked council for direction; the ordinances will require two readings and are expected to return for formal adoption in October.
Mayor Michael Caldwell outlined proposed city ordinances to regulate the downtown parking deck and electric‑vehicle charging stations during council comments on Sept. 8, telling council staff and the city attorney’s office have drafted companion language to address emerging issues in the parking deck.
The mayor described a draft parking‑deck ordinance that would prohibit inoperable vehicles remaining longer than 24 hours, operation of drones and certain powered personal‑transport devices within the deck, camping or sleeping in parked vehicles for more than four hours, aggressive acceleration and other activities the city described as "obnoxious uses." The draft also contemplates prohibitions on tailgating with open flames during events and on climbing or walking on deck railings; the mayor said staff expects to make adjustments after public feedback.
On electric‑vehicle charging, the mayor and council discussed a companion ordinance that would restrict who may use a charging stall and prohibit vehicles from occupying EV charging spots when not charging; the draft includes misdemeanor penalties and fines up to $1,000 for violations, though councilmembers asked staff to clarify enforcement mechanics and edge cases (for example, a vehicle that remains parked after charging completes). Staff said enforcement would likely use whether a vehicle is physically connected to the charger as a practical litmus test while allowing for refinement in implementation.
Mayor Caldwell said the two ordinances will require two readings and he asked staff to place the first reading on a forthcoming agenda; council members and staff agreed to increase patrols of the parking deck in the interim. The mayor noted some items in the draft will be adjusted after the hotel and mixed‑use development adjacent to the deck are completed and after experience with enforcement.
Why it matters The parking deck adjoins downtown activity and event venues; the proposed rules aim to address noise, safety, property damage and nuisance behaviors while preserving legitimate uses such as viewing city concerts from permitted events. EV‑charging rules and enforcement affect drivers and the effective use of public charging infrastructure.
What council asked Councilmembers asked staff to clarify exemptions and enforcement for EV charging (for example, whether a vehicle that has completed charging but remains connected should be treated as in violation), and asked staff to craft language that balances charging access with preventing the chargers from being used as long‑term parking. The mayor asked police to increase patrols of the deck in the near term and staff agreed to return the draft ordinance for a first reading.
What’s next The mayor asked legal staff to prepare the ordinances for introduction; the first readings are expected at a future meeting and the ordinances will return for a required second reading. Meanwhile, police will increase deck patrols and staff will solicit any council edits before formal introduction.
