Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Concerns topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges Bernalillo to reconsider sidewalk-parking enforcement on two neighborhood streets
Summary
During public comment, resident Nancy Libman told the council that notices of violation for parking on sidewalks were sent to some but not all households on Calle Evangeline and Calle Damiano; she said sidewalks lack curbs, street widths make on-street parking difficult and enforcement will force residents to remove landscaping and lower property values. Mayor Torres offered to meet with residents and staff to explore alternatives.
A Bernalillo resident told the governing body on Aug. 8 that enforcement of an ordinance prohibiting parking on sidewalks has created hardship on two neighborhood streets and appears to have been applied unevenly.
Nancy Libman said several residents on Calle Evangeline and Calle Damiano received notices of violation for parking on sidewalks even though the streets were built with an arroyo or parkway in the center, no curbs on the narrow concrete strips adjacent to homes and limited on-street room. She said many homes have more cars than driveways permit and that the notices have prompted residents to plan to remove landscaping or cut trees to make room for vehicles. Libman warned that the change could hurt property values and create safety issues for visitors and emergency responders.
Mayor Jack Torres responded that the ordinance cited has been on the books for a long time, and when the town receives complaints staff are legally required to follow up. He acknowledged mistakes in issuing notices to only some residents and said he shares the safety concern, but he emphasized that council members cannot direct staff to ignore a town ordinance. He offered to meet with the residents and appropriate staff (contact Town Administrator Ida Fierro) to explore alternatives.
The council did not vote or take immediate action on the request; the mayor’s offer to meet with residents and staff was the only procedural next step recorded in the meeting minutes.
