After a successful experiment last winter, the city of Montpelier has decided to institute winter on-street parking bans on an as-needed basis again this year. The policy goes into effect on Sunday.
"Following the success of last year’s pilot program to test as-needed and event based winter parking bans, the practice will continue this winter," city officials said in a news release. "Parking is allowed overnight on city streets except when the city manager calls for a winter parking ban due to inclement weather or snow removal activities."
Between municipal websites, social media outlets and emergency text, phone and email alerts, it's now easier than ever for a city or town to get information out to its residents. Last winter officials in Montpelier decided to put these communication advancements to use to increase winter overnight parking options. Rather than impose a blanket ban on on-street parking between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m., the ban is only activated when needed to clear city streets.
"A winter parking ban may be declared when a predicted weather event or planned snow removal activities will require city public works crews to have clear access to the streets and sidewalks as determined by the street supervisor and city manager," the press release states. "Every effort will be made to notify residents of a winter parking ban by 6 p.m."
In order to receive phone, text or email alerts about winter parking bans, residents need to sign up via VT Alerts. Notification will also be provided on Front Porch Forum, the city’s website, and Montpelier's Facebook page. If in doubt, residents can also call 262-6200 to hear a recorded message regarding the parking ban status.
There are, however, some city streets with a blanket prohibition on overnight winter parking "due to the narrowness of these streets or the operational requirements of public works." Beginning November 15, overnight parking is prohibited on:
- Cedar Street
- Chapman Road
- Charles Street
- Cherry Avenue
- Cliff Street
- Court Street, between Elm Street and Governor Aiken Avenue
- Downing Street
- The north side of East State Street, from Main Street to Cedar Street
- The south side of East Main Street, from 89 East State Street to West Street
- Elm Street, from State Street to Spring Street
- Langdon Street
- Liberty Street, from Main Street to Hubbard Street
- Nelson Street
- Pleasantview Street
- Prospect Street
- School Street, between Elm Street and Main Street
- School Street, from Main Streets to Loomis Street
- Spring Street, from Elm Street to Keck Circle
- Taylor Street, from State Street to Taylor Street Bridge
- Portions of Memorial Drive, Northfield Street and Berlin Street
