Pemberville: Parking fines being considered

4/27/2005

Pemberville Village Council is considering establishing a fine for residents who violate the village's parking regulations.

After several business owners complained that residents were parking in 15-minute parking spaces for several hours, council gave a first reading to several parking ordinances establishing a $10 fine for those who break the law, Clerk-Treasurer Ruth Phillips said.

"We are having parking problems with people parking on the street [for hours]," Councilman James Barnes added. "That's the problem, and we have a very small downtown area."

The fine would apply mainly to those who don't follow the parking regulations in the village's business district.

It would also apply to those who park for more than 15 minutes on Walnut Street between Front and Cherry streets, for those who park for more than 72 hours on village streets or alleys, and for those who park on sidewalks, lawns, or curbs.

If the fine is not paid within 15 days of the violation, the offense would turn into a minor misdemeanor.

Another reason council is considering amending the ordinances is because several are outdated, Mr. Barnes said. One was passed in 1955, and another was passed in 1989.

"A lot of it is to try to clean up the ordinances," he said.

Council members will have a third reading on the legislation next week.