At tonight’s City Council meeting Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6), Councilors Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), and James E. Taylor (Ward 8) introduced an ordinance that would restrict commercial vehicles from parking long-term on streets or in front yards.
“I constantly hear from frustrated residents that there are large commercial trucks parked on their streets,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “I have seen it myself, and this issue is about safety. It becomes difficult for neighbors to leave their driveways because these trucks are hanging into their pathway, or they can’t see around the truck to safely back-out. This ordinance will work to address this quality of life issue, and to ensure that our neighborhood streets remain that and not parking lots for commercial vehicles.”
The ordinance defines commercial vehicles as any vehicle over 20-feet in length and over 6,500 pounds. Further, no commercial vehicle will be able to park or stand, unless engaged in the loading or off-loading of materials, for more than one hour between the hours of 9 PM and 8 AM, or at any time on Sunday on any part of the street under the jurisdiction of the City of Providence.
Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia stated, “This is just common courtesy. I understand that some folks have to take home their work vehicles, but we have to balance that with the quality of life for all of our neighbors. By and large, those individuals are parking in their driveways and are being respectful of their neighbors. The issues that I see in my neighborhood are businesses parking their trucks on the street and not moving them for days at a time. We all want to live in nice neighborhoods, and these trucks detract from that, and become obstacles to the residents who are trying to commute through their streets.”
In addition to the time restrictions, there is also a penalty levied to violators. For any person found in violation of parking on the street, blocking a sidewalk or portion of the roadway will be subject to a fine no less than $50.00. If a commercial vehicle is found to be anyway limiting, restricting, or blocking the access of public safety vehicles or remains in place with their engine idling in the course of operation shall be deemed to be a hazard to public safety and quality of life. If a vehicle is found in violation, they will be towed and subject to a fine of no less than $100.00.
“Ward 8 has a lot of commercial zones mixed with residential zones, and this is a perennial problem,” stated Councilman James E. Taylor. I am proud that we are acting to put the interest of our community before that of industry. I don’t want any businesses to suffer, but I want them to be good neighbors. It is common courtesy and an obstacle that could delay safety vehicles from reaching someone in need of serious attention. We all have a role to play in making our neighborhoods great, and that includes not just residents but our businesses as well.”
This ordinance will be referred to the committee for review and vetting before it is sent to the full Council for votes and passage.
