Wildwood commissioners Monday heard the first reading of an ordinance that revamps the city’s parking regulations.
The proposed ordinance is a response to complaints from Village of Fenney residents about users of Fenney Putt & Play who park on their neighborhood streets.
Homeowners put up unofficial “No Parking” signs on their lawns to discourage users of the golf amenity from parking there.
Police have tried to assist in enforcing parking restrictions, but city officials believed revision of the parking ordinance was needed to address the problem.
“We just want to thank the commission for taking some action on the parking situation we have experienced,” said Lonnie Turner, who spoke for a small group of Fenney residents at the meeting. “We are looking forward to taking our No Parking decorations down.”
The ordinance would create a ticketing system and allows police officers to issue $25 citations for parking violations. It defines illegal parking such as blocking a driveway or roadway or parking within 20 feet of an intersection. Abusing handicapped parking or parking too close to a fire hydrant carry stiffer fines.
Police officers also would have authority to tow and impound vehicles that cause traffic hazards or when the driver is incapacitated, involved in a serious accident or in certain other cases.
Mayor Ed Wolf warned that the commission should proceed cautiously with the proposed ordinance.
“Let’s not take a knee-jerk reaction,” he said, adding that he has received calls and emails on both sides of the Fenney parking issue. “My concern is we just be careful in how we write it. We don’t want problems somewhere else.”
City Manager Jason McHugh said the parking regulations will apply to other areas, such as illegal parking in Brownwood.
Villagers who drive to Fenney Putt & Play are directed to use the Sugar Cane or Blue Heron recreation centers and walk to the amenity. But some users park on neighborhood streets to shorten the walk.
Only golf cart parking is available at Fenney Putt & Play and golf cart access from The Villages north of State Road 44 may not be completed for up to two years.
Fenney residents complained to Villages officials last October about the parking and were routed to Recreation Director John Rohan, who told them that a flyer directs people to park at the recreation centers.