Snow emergency parking reviewed

After numerous complaints by residents, Creston City Council has decided to revert back to their original changes to the snow parking policy.

Though the ordinance changes have yet to go to vote, the original proposal only required alternate side parking in most of Creston during snow emergencies. However, parking in uptown Creston would be alternate year-round.

Various councilmembers supported barring all street parking during snow emergencies during the last city council meeting. However, after hearing from constituents, many changed their mind.

“Our responsibility is to listen to the citizens and if they don’t want it… I’m not going to [go against it],” Councilmember Jocelyn Blazek said.

Though not a Creston resident, realtor Reta Ripperger shared her concerns for her customers.

“As a realtor, one of my biggest concerns is this new snow ordinance,” Ripperger said. “There are a lot of people who do not have somewhere at their home to park. If no one is allowed to park on the streets when it snows, I don’t know where they’re going to go.”

Councilmember Matt Levine, who was in favor of alternate side parking only during snow emergencies, said he’s also heard a lot from the community on this ordinance.

“I’ve had more people bring this up, and we haven’t done anything yet. I’ve had more people bring this up to me than most other issues in my four years here. You can’t tell them all to get off the street,” Levine said. “We have them park on the opposite side of the street during snow emergencies, but when there’s no snow emergencies, they can park where they want. That to me is the best of both worlds.”

Parking location is not the only thing this proposed ordinance would change. The council is also looking to raise the fines. Creston Police Chief Paul Ver Meer said over the last winter, almost 450 snow tickets were written. However, only half of those tickets were paid.

“I think the raising of the fine would give people more of an incentive,” Mayor Waylon Clayton said. “Obviously $25 isn’t getting the message across.”

The proposed change would raise the fine to $100 per ticket.

“I like the higher amount. The number of snow emergencies every year is going to be small,” Levine said. “Obviously, this year, there was a week or so where it was a couple of times it was bad during that portion. We have years where there may not be one call. I think telling people, by raising the fine, we really mean you want to follow this during the very few snow emergencies each year.”

A public hearing regarding the proposed changes to the snow parking ordinance will be held at 6 p.m., April 16 at Creston City Hall.