Coeur d'Alene bans parking within 15 feet of an alley

Parking within 15 feet of where an alley meets a street is now against city code in Coeur d'Alene, or will be as soon as the city publishes the new ordinance.

The City Council passed the rule Tuesday, Nov. 3. The vote was unanimous, the Coeur d'Alene Press reported.

WHY

Republic Services, the city's garbage hauler, asked for it. In his report to the council, City Attorney Randy Adams wrote that when a vehicle is parked too close to an alley entrance, "Republic's trucks cannot safely make the turn." The report says some pickups were missed and drivers sometimes had to back into a street.

The report also says cars parked close to an alley block the view of oncoming traffic for anyone pulling out.

WHAT THE RULE SAYS

The ordinance adds one line to the city's parking code. No one may park "within fifteen feet (15') in each direction from the point of intersection of the curb lines of a roadway and the boundary line of an alley."

City code already bans parking within 30 feet of an intersection. Adams' report says an alley does not count as an intersection under Idaho law, so that rule did not cover alleys.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

The ordinance takes effect once a summary is published in the city's official newspaper. The city's packet does not give that date.

Do not expect tickets on day one. "The City anticipates a reasonable period of time for education with warnings," the report says, and signs may go up in selected areas if that does not work. The report puts the cost to the city as minimal, mostly enforcement.

The ordinance in the packet does not list a fine.