(DANVILLE, Calif.) – A Danville resident's request to amend the town’s 72-hour parking ordinance prompted a discussion at the October 6 regular meeting of the Danville Town Council about communication, long-term parking and enforcement, and a future study session.
During opening public comment, Janet Hanna told the council that two vehicles had been parked in front of her home for more than two months, despite repeated calls to the Danville Police Department. Calling it the equivalent of “free long-term parking,” Hanna asked the town to “consider amending” its ordinance to give police “a rule that is clear and enforceable.”
Photo Credit: Granicus / Town of Danville / Janet Hanna speaking with Councilmember Rene Morgan after her three minute period for comment has finished and been reset for the next speaker. There were none.
In addition to Hanna, the request was supported by 12 Danville residents.
“In my neighborhood,” Hanna said, "the unenforceability of the current ordinance has resulted in vehicles remaining in essentially the same location for months.” This, she noted, is a problem not only for her, but “others in the neighborhood as well.”
While Mayor Arnerich called the topic a “public nuisance," he elaborated that although there are some modifications local governments can make to parking ordinances, “like distance,” the 72-hour limit is set by state legislation and the town must remain compliant.
“Several months is different than 72 hours,” Hanna said.
She also pointed to “some cities in California,” who have “tried to address” the issue through modifications to local ordinances. According to the mayor, this “[d]oesn’t mean they’re legal.” Arnerich compared the actions to HOA contracts, which he said can contain “terrible things” that are sometimes in violation of state law. It is unclear as to which cities Hanna was referencing.
"I understand that people need to park their cars and I’m not asking the town to eliminate street parking,” Hanna said, “but I’m asking for a reasonable distinction between a vehicle that is genuinely being used…and a vehicle that is effectively being stored on a public street.”
While Arnerich said earlier that since public comments were not agenda items, “by law, [the council] can’t discuss” them, members of the council sought to find other approaches to the problem.
The mayor pointed out that once a vehicle is “inoperable” a different set of rules applies. He also advised Hanna and her neighbors of the possibility of legal action against the vehicle owner—someone within Hanna’s community—which may even include a “restraining order.”
Photo Credit: Town of Danville / Image from parking enforcement webpage.
Councilmember Morgan asked Hanna if the vehicles were registered, which would place the issue under a different legal code and could expedite a solution. Hanna affirmed that the vehicles were registered.
The discussion also revealed differing levels of previous knowledge among councilmembers. While Mayor Arnerich said the town had been working “very quietly…to help the situation,” and referenced efforts by the town taking place “behind the scenes” to address the issue, Councilmember Rene Morgan said she was hearing about it for the first time.
After Morgan suggested a “study session” be completed, the mayor stated that this had already been recommended by local code enforcement.
“Well, as a council, I think it’d be nice [if] we could bring that back because this is the first I am hearing about it,” said Morgan.
As Hanna’s three minutes concluded, the council began a brief conversation with her as she remained at the podium. Arnerich then read the names of Hanna’s supporters on cards submitted to the council. To these people, the mayor said, “Thank you all for being here to support, indirectly a neighbor, but also the neighborhood. So thank you for that.”
There were no other comments during the “For the Good of the Town” opening public comment period, and no date was established for a potential study of the parking ordinance.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at robert.m@lead4earth.org or leave a comment below with your thoughts.
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