FLAGSTAFF — The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to approve Winter Parking Ordinance 2017-11 during a public hearing Tuesday, Nov. 7. The new ordinance requires parking restrictions from County maintained rights-of-way during snow season and for the enforcement of parking restrictions either by citation or towing.
Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute § 11-251, the County Board of Supervisors may manage public roads within the County, as well as, pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute § 11-251.05, adopt all ordinances necessary or proper to carry into effect such powers.
“This ordinance will allow the County to better manage issues associated with winter recreation,” said Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Matt Ryan. “This is another tool the County can use to help navigate winter challenges.”
The Board of Supervisors has amended the ordinance to state that between Nov. 1 – April 1 of each year, motor vehicles must be kept clear of County maintained rights of way. Any vehicle parked in such prohibited areas reserves the right to be cited or towed at the owner’s expense (not less than $200.00) due to the possibility of threatening the health or welfare of County residents. Penalties are applicable where violations take place and where signed.
Winter recreation in Coconino County has resulted in increased parking and traffic congestion, littering and other dangerous hazards that negatively impact the health, safety and welfare of residents of the County who live and/or own property adjacent to County highways and roads. Over 80 signs will be disbursed to identified roadways to reinforce the new ordinance.
“I want to thank the community for addressing the challenges of peak winter recreation events in Coconino County,” said District 1 Supervisor Art Babbott. “This new ordinance provides a legal foundation to better serve and protect our neighborhoods and communities. Moving this forward was an important objective of the Community Winter Recreation Task Force to improve safety along County maintained roads and complements the new ADOT no parking signage on the Highway 180 corridor.”
It is a primary responsibility of the County to keep County owned, or maintained, rights -of-way reasonably clear of snow and provide major access for emergency vehicles. Most motor vehicles left parked in the streets become a hazard, both to the County snow removal equipment and to the owner of the vehicle.