Naked City

Last week, the city Planning Commission discussed an ordinance, prepared by the office of Council Member Danny Thomas and similar to those enforced in San Antonio, Arlington, Texas, and many other cities nationwide, that would ban parking vehicles in front and side lawns. Though about as thrilling as plain white rice, the parking ordinance has caused considerable tension between its supporters -- who are concerned about property values and neighborhood aesthetics -- and detractors, who complain that it will penalize poor people and renters. The council is expected to review the ordinance at three meetings this month.

In essence, the commission passed on approval only a program that can be administered by City sub-districts -- i.e., a hybrid system by which residents could opt in or out of the ordinance based on their city-recognized neighborhood planning area or neighborhood association boundaries. (Planning areas are typically larger than association areas, but in some instances the same boundaries apply -- for example, the territory covered by ordinance-backers the North Austin Civic Association.) The Commission also asked the council to seriously consider additional provisions developed by its Comprehensive Plan subcommittee -- including notifying all Austin residents of the ordinance and its applicability, establishing an oversight body to approve police procedures, and making exemptions for activities and circumstances such as car washing and vehicles with disabled persons licenses.

"We need to be flexible in our usage of city codes, and fight against the 'one-size-fits-all' mentality," says PC Chair Ben Heimsath, who at last week's meeting added a preamble to his motion that stated the importance of the ordinance for some areas of town, and the importance of not enforcing it in others. The original draft ordinance applied citywide, restricting inert cars to streets and driveways. After two warnings by APD, violators would receive $40 fines ($20 if paid early). Now in its third version, the draft ordinance maintains those fees, but gives neighborhood associations the "opt in or out" option. Groups that have already sent letters of approval to NACA or to the city council -- so far, over 50 -- will automatically be covered by the ordinance if council passes it. Associations that choose to join later will have to obtain signatures from at least 10% of property owners within the association boundary; the city will accept applications for admittance once yearly.