Cape Council to consider commercial vehicle parking
From the day he took office, Cape Coral City Councilmember John Gunter has made on-street parking of commercial vehicles and trailers in the South Cape a priority.
On Monday, at 4:30 p.m. during the city council’s regular meeting at City Hall, an ordinance addressing the issue will be considered.
The ordinance, which will be presented by Cape Coral Police Chief David Newlan, seeks to amend Chapter 12 of the ordinance code defining Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, softening the definition of a commercial vehicle and establishing new prohibitions and penalties.
The ordinance would prohibit the parking of commercial vehicles or trailers weighing more than 10,000 pounds for more than two hours except by permit (except for loading and unloading).
A presentation on the issue states those vehicles would be able to park between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. provided the commercial vehicle and trailer is actively used to provide service and is located within 500 feet of the premises. Also required would be a valid building permit or written information describing the location of the premises where the service is taking place to be displayed on the vehicle or trailer.
The ordinance now defines all vehicles in the Class 2 Category as commercial. A Ford F-250, for example, would have been classified as commercial.
The fine for illegal parking will be $30. Law enforcement officers and parking enforcement specialists would also be authorized to have the vehicle towed at the owner’s expense.
In May, an ordinance limiting the parking of trailers in public parking lots in the South Cape District was adopted by the City Council. Again, it was Gunter who spearheaded the ordinance.
Gunter was at the Florida League of Cities annual conference in Hollywood and could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
The city council will also discuss the National League of Cities City Summit coming up in November in Los Angeles and the proposed strategic and Audit Plan for fiscal year 2019.
On Thursday will be the third joint meeting between the City Council and the Budget Review committee.
Previous meetings were held a 1 p.m.; the time for next Thursday’s workshop had not been officially set as of Thursday.