Area communities restrict parking during storm

As the first winter storm of the season approached, leaders in some area communities made emergency declarations to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles and snow plows.

Blue Grass, Iowa Mayor Brinson Kinzer declared a “weather emergency” effective from midnight Wednesday night/Thursday morning until noon Friday, December 21.  Kinser asked residents to avoid parking on city streets so emergency vehicles and snow plows have unobstructed access.  The city’s Public Safety Building at 606 West Mayne Street will remain open to the public.

Clinton, Iowa declared a snow emergency that starts at midnight Wednesday night/Thursday morning until snow has been cleared from all streets.  Vehicles not removed from city streets by 6 p.m. Thursday, December 20, 2012 could be ticketed and/or towed. 

Davenport, Iowa declared a snow emergency from 6 a.m. Thursday, December 20 to 6 a.m. Friday, December 21.   Vehicles are prohibited from parking on posted snow routes during the snow emergency time.  Residents on other streets are asked to park along the side of the street with even-numbered addresses to allow more room for snow plows to travel on narrow roads.

Dixon, Illinois put its even/odd parking ordinance into effect Thursday, December 20.  Cars within the city, except in the downtown business district, should be parked along the side of the road with even-numbered addresses Thursday and on the side with odd-numbered addresses Friday.  Residents must follow the even/odd parking regulations until snow is cleared from their block.  Violators are subject to having their vehicle towed and a possible citation costing $75. 

East Moline, Illinois declared a snow emergency beginning Thursday, December 20, 2012 and continuing until 24 hours after snow has stopped falling.  During a declared snow emergency, vehicles not removed from city streets are subject to being towed at the owner’s expense. 

Galesburg, Illinois will prohibit parking on city streets when snow accumulation reaches two inches.  Cars parked after that time could be ticketed and/or towed.  The parking restriction remains in effect for 12 hours after it starts or until the street is completely plowed.  The Central Business District is not including in the parking restriction except for the northwest corner of the public square.

Moline, Illinois has prohibited on-street parking in areas with posted snow route signs so snow removal crews can clear streets.

Muscatine, Iowa’s snow emergency went into effect at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 19, 2012 and is in effect until further notice.  During the snow emergency period, vehicles should be parked on the side of the street with even-numbered addresses on even-numbered dates, and on the side with odd-numbered addresses on odd-numbered dates.  Vehicles are not allowed to be parked on any designated snow emergency route.

Rock Island, Illinois declared a snow emergency Thursday and Friday, December 20 and 21, 2012.  Vehicles parked on marked snow routes in Rock Island will get a $35 parking ticket.  Vehicles still parked on those routes Friday will be towed and impounded.