Finance committee forwards amendments to Chapter 14 parking rules after clarifying crosswalk language

The Finance Committee at Winchester City Hall voted to forward proposed amendments to Chapter 14 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) of the Winchester City Code to the full City Council with a recommendation for approval.

City staff member Corey, representing the Parking Authority, said the changes are intended to make the code text match an updated chart of parking fines that staff added to the code. He said the package includes redline changes the committee received and that city attorney Melissa reviewed the language. The committee held a short discussion focused on the provision that prohibits blocking crosswalks and on how markings such as hashed “site‑clearance” zones are enforced.

Committee members asked whether the code language refers to blocking the ramp portion of a crosswalk used by people with disabilities and whether a vehicle parked in the street could also block a crosswalk. Staff said the rule is intended primarily to prevent parking against the curb in a way that blocks access to the handicap ramp; if a car is in the street and obstructs the ramp, it would also be considered blocking the crosswalk. Staff confirmed that hashed pavement markings and “No Parking” painted legends are treated the same as posted no‑parking areas.

After those clarifications, a committee member moved to forward the ordinance to council with a recommendation for approval; a second was recorded and the motion passed by voice vote.

The committee did not change fine amounts in open session; the action forwarded the redline package — including the fine chart already added to the code — for final consideration by the full council.

The measure will next appear on the City Council agenda for final action. The committee record shows the motion passed by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the committee minutes.