Measure passes to allow handicap motorists to reserve parking space
By Jayed Rahman
Published: February 12, 2015
City residents with handicap license plates will now have the option to reserve parking space in front of their homes.
The city council on Tuesday evening adopted a measure that allows handicap license plate holders to fork up an annual fee of $75 for first time requesters and $50 for those who already have a handicap parking pole outside their dwelling to reserve parking space. Yearly renewal fee for both is $50, according to the ordinance.
City officials said the city will affix a third sign to the existing blue wheelchair icon and penalty plate on a handicap pole which will list the handicap driver’s license plate denoting the spot is reserved for the vehicle that matches the posted plate number.
Any other vehicles, including those bearing handicap placards or handicap license plates, will be subject to a $50 parking violation.
The reserved option is available only to residents with handicap license plates and will not be available for individuals with handicap placards. Officials said the placards are ubiquitous and can easily be switched between vehicles.
Council members unanimously approved the ordinance which they hope will deter interloping handicap drivers from permanently occupying handicap parking spaces belonging to residents who requested handicap parking pole outside their homes.