Council to Address Scofflaw Parking

The City Council will consider an ordinance tonight that could give the city manager the authority to ban vehicles taller than 6 feet from parking on city streets.

If approved, the measure could affect motor homes, large trucks, campers and other vehicles.

The Police Department receives roughly 75 complaints a month about the parking of campers, boats, detached trailers and motor homes, officials said. The city estimates that at any given time, there are as many as 600 motor homes and 800 detached trailers parked on city streets.

State law allows such parking, but only for 72 hours at a time. After that, the vehicle must be moved.

Most complaints registered with the city are resolved with little trouble, officials said. But in those instances where resolution is difficult, city staffers would like an ordinance giving them legal standing.

In those rare cases, the chief of police and director of public works would bring the problem to City Manager Mike Sedell, outlining how they had attempted to solve it. He would then make the judgment about whether restricting parking in the area is necessary.

By authorizing the city manager to restrict specific parking, the city would avoid a blanket ordinance outlawing the parking of any tall vehicle, Councilwoman Barbra Williamson said.

Councilman Paul Miller said the ordinance is a good idea, because it will allow the city manager to make the decision quickly, without having to request that the council approve installation of a no-parking sign.

Reducing the number of complaints also would free up traffic officers to handle other problems, such as people parking illegally in handicap-parking spots, he added.

Still, owners of motor homes are likely to be upset, Williamson said, adding that she is sorry the ordinance is necessary.

“It’s one of their own that has caused the problem,” she said, adding that she knew of a case in which a person parked a motor home in front of a neighbor’s house for eight years.

“It has to do with courtesy to your neighbor,” Williamson said.

The council meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Simi Valley City Hall, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road.