Story posted Friday, July 3, 2009
Resident-Only Parking Near Maine West?
By TOM ROBB Journal & Topics Reporter
Des Plaines aldermen are considering implementing resident-only parking restrictions on city streets around Maine West High School.
In 2006, Des Plaines aldermen approved general parking restrictions for all vehicles on streets around the school in response to complaints that students were parking on nearby residential streets to avoid paying an $80 fee for use of the school's lot.
No parking zones were imposed between 8 and 10 a.m. Monday through Friday on Lincoln Avenue, 4th, 5th and 6th avenues and on Cindy Lane near the school aimed at driving student drivers back to the school's lot.
City officials said this restriction divided the neighborhood and proved unworkable.
Residents who complained about student parking in the neighborhood were pleased while other neighborhood residents were upset that they could not park during the morning hours.
Under the proposal aldermen will consider Monday night, neighborhood residents would be allowed to park during the restricted morning hours while non-neighborhood residents would be ticketed.
Residents would not be required to purchase neighborhood parking stickers as is often required with similar neighborhood zones in which only residents may park.
Des Plaines police officers will check addresses of vehicle registrations to differentiate residential vehicles from others.
Under the proposal residents will also be able to contact police and provide them license plate numbers of any guests who might be visiting a resident in the neighborhood so they might avoid a ticket as well.
Lawn or other service vehicles parking in the neighborhood to do business would also be exempt from morning parking restrictions.
A city report said Maine West High School officials declined the city's suggestion to wave the student parking fee as it pays for maintenance and upkeep of the lot.
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