Local parking revised in Afton resolutions

AFTON - Two parking areas in Afton will be targeted following resolutions approved during Tuesday’s city council meeting.

First, on Gregory Street, parking on the east end of the street will be limited based on the size of the vehicle. The parking for the area is typically used for the Fairview Housing apartments, a city-owned housing complex.

Public concern spurred the change. The city, in their resolution, said, “The public has expressed concerns to Afton City Council regarding parking on Gregory street at Afton Housing, also known as Fairview Housing. Many vehicles parked in the parking spaces on Gregory street stick out into the street."

The apartments are maintained by the Afton Housing Commission, a certified public housing authority which provides low-income affordable housing options through the apartments. The city met with the commission and agreed a resolution was the best way to combat parking issues.

Signs will be placed on the parking areas which limit motor vehicles to 6 feet in height, 8 feet in width and 15 feet in length. If the vehicle exceeds these measurements, it can’t be parked on the east side of Gregory Street.

Parking signs will also be placed in another part of the city. As part of Afton’s ongoing effort to limit interruptions in maintenance during snow emergencies, the south end of Kansas Street from Douglas to Webster will have no parking from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m.

Previous rules limited parking from Nov. 1 to April 1 from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. However, the city had changed this rule within the last five years to only be applicable during snow emergencies.

Jesse Shade of city maintenance said he noticed during recent snow emergencies how the rule hasn’t been followed. Although they haven’t necessitated the need for snow removal where the parking would provide problems for Shade, he said a heavier snowfall would cause issues.

“[Police Chief] Jake [McGuire] is not working in the morning when I am,” Shade said. “I’d hate to call him and say, ‘hey, come give these guys tickets at five in the morning’ if he’s not working.”

Under the new resolution, parking on the south end of the section of Kansas Street will be limited to a year-round ban on parking between 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. The south end this segment includes between The Roost and L Ranchito.

Shade recommended those who need overnight parking, such as those who live in the nearby Harris apartments, to move their vehicles across the street to the park square. Although snow emergencies will still necessitate parking elsewhere, Shade said the small change will assist him even if someone forgets to move their vehicle.

In other Afton city council news...

Afton approved transferring funds out of the city’s LOST fund for previously approved projects. This includes $1,621.51 to the recreation fund for maintenance expenses and $1,500 to economic development for the exterior beautification grant.

Seven trees have been planted at Afton’s rec field, using funds awarded by a recent grant. Afton will be reimbursed $4,165 through the grant. More trees will be planted in the fall.

Five alcohol permits were granted to the Afton Community Club for five nights of Tuesday Night in the Park. These days will be June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14 and Aug. 4.