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Horace council adopts amended parking ordinance limiting overnight trailer parking, directs entry signage
Summary
The Horace City Council approved a revised parking ordinance that bars certain trailers from parking between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., and directed city staff to place signage at major entry points; city attorneys recommended signs though said home-rule authority means signage is optional.
The Horace City Council on Aug. 4 approved changes to the city's parking ordinance aimed at limiting long-term trailer parking in residential areas and directed staff to install signs on major entry roads.
Lucas, the city attorney, told the council the city's 2016 home-rule charter gives Horace authority to regulate parking without relying solely on state signage requirements. "If signage is not the way that you wanna go, you don't have to have signs because you guys are a home rule charter," Lucas said, noting the city could still choose to post signs and that deputies may prefer signage to aid enforcement.
Quinn, who handled the ordinance presentation, outlined the principal change: instead of an absolute ban on a wide class of trailers, the draft prohibits parking of defined trailer types between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. "If someone has to move that camper every single night, they're not gonna park it there," Quinn said, describing the timing as a practical way to reduce long-term street parking without building many narrow exceptions.
Council members discussed construction-related exemptions and enforcement. Council member Stephanie and others raised concerns that construction crews often park trailers during multiweek projects. Quinn and Lucas said the ordinance could include a short-term construction exception if the council wanted one, but enforcement would likely remain largely complaint-driven.
Council member Naomi moved to approve the ordinance as revised and to add signage at major city entry points; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.
The council did not publish a roll-call tally on record; the mayor declared the motion carried. City staff said they will coordinate sign locations and follow up with the Cass County Sheriff's Department on enforcement protocols.
The ordinance will be posted with the final wording and the council asked staff to return with implementation details for signage and any narrow construction exemptions.
