Coeur d’Alene officials unanimously passed a rule Tuesday prohibiting vehicles from parking within 15 feet of an alleyway. The city expects to begin with education and warnings rather than immediate tickets.
Coeur d’Alene Alley Parking Rule
The rule was prompted by problems involving Republic Services, the city’s solid-waste hauler. Republic trucks have had difficulty navigating some alleys during garbage and recycling collection, particularly when vehicles are parked near alley intersections.
City Attorney Randy Adams said the 15-foot distance in each direction would give trucks room to turn into and out of an alley. “Alleys are an interesting aspect of our city,” Adams said.
Waste Collection and Traffic Safety
Vehicles left near alley entrances can prevent Republic drivers from turning safely. In some cases, customers whose totes were placed in alleys have not received collection on the designated day.
Republic may return on a different day after vehicles are moved. If a vehicle remains in place, the obstruction may prevent collection or require a driver to back into a street, creating a traffic hazard.
Mayor Dan Gookin said the safety issue had been raised earlier in the year. “If it’s unsafe for the vehicle to go through the alley,” Gookin said, the situation presents a problem for collection operations.
Warnings Before Citations
People will not initially be ticketed for violating the rule. The city plans an educational period with warnings first. If that effort does not resolve the problem, officials may post signs in selected areas, and citations may begin after the education component.
Dan Sheckler was also named in connection with the city’s action.