Warden City Council passes parking regulation ordinance
The Warden City Council unanimously passed a parking regulation ordinance. The ordinance restricts parking to two hours in front of the Warden Public Library during open hours.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
WARDEN — After several meetings of discussion, the Warden City Council unanimously approved a new parking regulation ordinance Tuesday night during its regularly scheduled meeting.
Council members said the new rules come after ongoing complaints from residents about vehicles being left parked for days or even weeks at a time, taking up limited spaces in front of businesses and the Warden Public Library.
“I think it is long overdue,” Council Member Agapito “Speedy” Gonzalez said. “We have had habitual people parking and staying. We need to address that.”
The ordinance goes into effect May 17.
Under the new regulations, a two-hour parking limit will be enforced in front of the Warden Public Library during its open hours, which are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The limit will not apply on Sundays and Mondays, when the library is closed, or during special community events.
Parking will also be prohibited at Grant Transit Authority and People for People bus stops. In addition, vehicles left parked on any city street or highway for more than 240 hours, or 10 days, without being moved, will be considered a hazard or obstruction and may be impounded.
The ordinance gives the Public Works Director authority to establish additional no-parking zones, limited parking areas, and loading zones as needed, with proper signage to notify the public. It also outlines several general restrictions, including no parking within five feet of a garbage collection container on collection day or within five feet of a mailbox. Vehicles may not be parked on sidewalks, in crosswalks, in fire lanes, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, or in a way that blocks a driveway.
The rules also prohibit using city streets to sell a vehicle, wash or repair a vehicle, or sell other goods without proper permitting from the City of Warden.
Most violations under the ordinance will carry a $130 fine, while violations involving parking near garbage containers or mailboxes will result in a $55 fine.
The Warden Police Department will begin enforcing the new parking rules Monday.