LITTLE ROCK — Somewhat reluctantly, North Little Rock aldermen approved another option Monday for residents to control where and how their neighbors can park several vehicles.
The City Council voted 5-2 to amend the city’s parking ordinance to allow residents to form a neighborhood association that could apply for designation as a council-approved parking district.
Such a district would set specific parking restrictions, such as banning parking in front yards, within certain areas.
Aldermen Debi Ross and Linda Robinson both hesitated before voting yes, swinging the vote for the needed five for approval. Aldermen Maurice Taylor and co-sponsors Charlie Hight and Murry Witcher also voted yes.
Aldermen Steve Baxter and Bruce Foutch voted no. Alderman Beth White was absent because of the recent death of her father.
The new step must also receive the approval of both aldermen from the applicants’ ward and from the mayor before going to the full City Council for approval.
“This makes the hill of approval a little steeper,” Hight said at one point during a lengthy discussion on the issue.
The council approved Ordinance 8128 in December 2008 that established the right for neighborhoods to set up parking districts under city guidelines through property owners associations or improvement districts or through a petition process.
“This is simply a third option,” City Attorney Jason Carter said.
Ross gained a 7-0 vote for approval to add that neighborhood associations must maintain good standing as a nonprofit to be eligible to apply.
Hight and Witcher, both of Ward 4, brought up the issue, they said, to provide a remedy for Indian Hills residents who have complained about certain residences often having several cars parked in their driveway and yards. The excess of parked vehicles, some complained, disrupts traffic, hurts property values and harms a neighborhood’s appeal.
The aldermen’s original legislation, abandoned at the last council meeting because of strong opposition, called for a citywide ban on parking in front and side yards.
Arkansas, Pages 8 on 07/24/2012