Tuesday's Internet Edition, September 07, 2010.
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At last Thursday’s Town Council briefing, Corporal Rick Oliver, head of Lewisville’s Community Policing program, reported that he had received several complaints about on-street parking. Under the town’s ordinance, all on-street parking is illegal unless there are designated parking spaces.
Oliver said most of the violations are taking place in housing developments.
“Some people are using the streets as extensions of their driveways and leaving cars parked there overnight,” he explained. “This creates a safety hazard, and citizens are asking us to enforce the parking ordinance.”
Vehicles parked in the roadway create blind spots for people backing out of their driveways and for children who may be playing in their yards. These vehicles may also impede the progress of police cars, firetrucks and ambulances.
Oliver said he had observed one instance where a firetruck could not get through a street because there were cars parked on both sides.
“If a car parked on the street is involved in an accident, then it is possible that the car’s owner could be liable,” Oliver told council.
Oliver and other Lewisville deputies have the authority to ticket anyone who violates the parking ordinance. The $25 fine must be paid at Town Hall within 45 days.
All citizens will receive a letter notifying them that on-street parking is illegal and violators will be ticketed. The information will also be posted on the town’s website, www.lewisvillenc.net, and advertised on the town’s cable television channel (Channel 6).
Oliver asked council for and received permission to place copies of the letter on illegally-parked vehicles.
“We want to make everyone aware of the ordinance and give them the opportunity to comply,” he said. “We don’t want to blindside people.”
In addition to Lewisville’s ordinance, there are also state laws which address on-street parking. “If you’re fined under state law then your ticket will be a minimum of $110 plus court costs,” Oliver said.
Anyone with questions about Lewisville’s parking ordinance should contact Town Hall at 945-5558.