Mayor pitches parking limits on some streets
BY PHIL REYNOLDS
SOUTH JETTY REPORTER

Are some Port Aransas streets so clogged with parked vehicles that they constitute a hazard? Mayor Claude Brown thinks so, and will ask the city council to ban parking on certain streets when the council meets tonight, Thursday, June 19.

City ordinances now prohibit parking on any street where less than 10 feet is left for traffic to pass. Brown wants to change that to leave at least 20 feet for passing vehicles.

He would also ban parking in any circular cul-de-sac or within 100 feet of any intersection.

The proposal would prohibit parking on Cotter Avenue from the ferry landing to the beach, instead of from the ferry landing to Station Street, as ordinances now allow; it would also ban parking the entire length of Station Street at all times, instead of the current ban on certain sections during certain hours.

Other streets where parking would be prohibited under the proposal:
• 11th Street
• Beach Access Road 1A
• Oleander Street
• Lantana Drive
• Sand Castle Drive
• Beach Street 

"It's largely a matter of public safety," Brown said. "We have areas now where vehicles park, and it's tough to get a fire engine or garbage truck past them."

Cecilia Fox, who lives on Lantana Drive, said she didn't understand the need to ban parking on that street.

"There's never been a safety issue there before," she said.

Connie Beane, who lives on Oleander Street, said restricting parking on her street would be a burden.

"It's probably going to mess me up, because we don't have much parking anyway," Beane said. "If you have company coming, where are they supposed to park?"

The council meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the council chamber, 710 W. Ave. A.