A previously considered council item was visited once again at the Knox City Council meeting on Tuesday. Council member Bertha Blue asked Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston what he found regarding the city’s rules about vehicles obstructing sidewalks.
Houston said while researching, he was unable to locate a local ordinance but he did find a state statute that specifies parking is prohibited on sidewalks. He said while that would technically be enforceable, he thought the terms were not realistic for Knox.
“If you use the state statute,” Houston explained, “you’re looking at real big fines and stuff so we probably want to write a new one for the city.”
Mayor Dennis Estok added that an ordinance specifically created for Knox could also include details about the layout of the city and the width of the roads. He alerted the council members that if the case really calls for it, they’re able to enforce the state statute while the ordinance is being made.
Over the last few council meetings, the council members have discussed complaints about individuals either parking in their lawns or on sidewalks. They have also brought up concerns about the safety hazard of large vehicles parked on narrow roads. The topic will be revisited during the next city council meeting.
