Palmer postpones parking plans

PALMER — City council has curbed an ordinance that would regulate residential and commercial parking in Palmer.

“We need to take a somewhat more comprehensive look,” Councilman Tony Pippel said Tuesday.

Mayor John Combs said the council should make the parking rules more specific to address motorhomes and whether moving parked cars to a different spot along the road within a 24-hour period is appropriate.

Brittany Estates was discussed as an area of concern. Pippel said limited parking on residents’ own property creates a logjam of parking on public streets.

“It sometimes turns into a slalom course,” Pippel said, which can create safety concerns in a subdivision where children play close to the roads. If residents cannot park their vehicles on their own property, they need to rent space outside the city to do so, he said.

“I know that seems drastic, but if they don’t have room for it on their property, they need to get rid of some of their stuff,” Pippel said.

Regulating where and how long people can park in certain areas around the city should also help public works crews in the winter, Combs said. When at least 2 inches of snowfall hits the ground, city employees are out plowing. Without cars obstructing traffic, the snow would be easier to remove.

Councilman Richard Best, speaking at the meeting via telephone, asked a decision on the parking ordinance be postponed until the council confers with law enforcement and city staff can do more research on parking regulations in existing neighborhoods.

Councilwoman Kathrine Vanover at first suggested the group pass the ordinance now and make changes as necessary later; however, Vanover later said she was swayed by other members and, while expedience is valued, the council wants to be thorough.

The council will discuss parking next when it convenes for a work session with the city’s zoning and planning commission Aug. 7. The council is expected to vote on regulating parking during a regular council meeting Sept. 9.

Other business

Ramps for the city’s skateboard park will arrive the week of June 23, Combs said. Installation of the ramps will happen the following week and should be complete by July 3.

Local chiropractor Joseph Hawkins voiced concerns that there wasn’t a public hearing held for the skateboard park. Combs said the responsibility of hosting a public meeting on the skate park should have fallen on former city manager Tom Healy.

“It’s generally held to the city manager to hold a public meeting,” Combs said. “Frankly, I just never thought about it.”

Contact Derek Casanovas at derek.casanovas@frontiersman.com or 352-2284.