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Council introduces amendment to snow‑emergency parking rule requiring vehicle removal after declaration
Summary
Council introduced a change to the snow‑emergency parking ordinance (chapter 3.78) to require vehicles be removed from designated snow‑emergency-route spaces within a set time after the plan is declared; the amendment was introduced for adoption at a future meeting.
Smithsburg — Council introduced on Feb. 3 an amendment to the town’s snow‑emergency parking rule (chapter 3.78, section on prohibited parking g) to tighten enforcement timing so vehicles must be removed within a limited period after a snow‑emergency plan is declared.
Counsel and the chief proposed revising the ordinance so that "when the Maryland State Police or other appropriate Maryland authority declares or determines the snow emergency plan is in effect in Washington County, Maryland, no person shall permit a vehicle to remain in a parking space along the designated snow emergency route as defined by the town within 2 hours of the snow emergency plan declaration." Counsel read the proposed language into the record and moved to introduce the amendment for adoption at a future meeting. Council voted to introduce the ordinance and scheduled the item for a forthcoming meeting where members may refine the time window (some members suggested more than two hours).
Why it matters: The amendment aims to reduce plowing‑in of vehicles and to improve road‑clearing safety for public works crews by ensuring vehicles are moved before plowing operations have begun.
Next steps: Staff will circulate the draft amendment in advance of the adoption meeting; council members may propose edits before final adoption.
