Commission tables proposed on-street parking ban for trash days after resident concerns

The Mount Clemens City Commission on July 6 deferred action on a proposed ordinance that would prohibit residential on-street parking during trash-collection days, instead voting to schedule a workshop to develop workable permit, enforcement and communication plans.

Staff described the draft ordinance as intended to clear streets for trash collection, street sweeping and snow removal and noted the administration had not yet developed a permit process for households without off-street parking. "It would be my intention that that we present something that's pretty cut and dried so that the clerk's office is not required to exercise a lot of discretion," staff said, and sketched an alternating-side permit approach for households that would qualify.

Several residents and commissioners expressed concern about families that lack driveways, how contractors and landscapers would be treated, and the potential cost of enforcement or fines. A Zoom participant and several in-person commenters urged mapping trash days and crafting exemptions to avoid penalizing visitors, workers, or households that legitimately cannot comply.

Commissioners agreed the ordinance as drafted was not yet realistic and moved to table it until a workshop could be held to craft practical rules and an outreach plan; the motion to table passed by roll call.

Next steps: staff will convene a workshop with the Department of Public Services and other stakeholders to produce a revised draft with realistic sweeping schedules, permit criteria for residents without off-street parking, and enforcement protocols before the commission considers first reading again.