New Parking Ordinance Approved

MIDLAND -- Five months have gone by since the City Council in Midland started talks about a parking ordinance.

It will keep Tall City residents from being able to park on their own lawns.
   
On Tuesday the council unanimously approved that policy, but some Midlanders aren't satisfied.
   
Residents can't park on the front yard or side yard of their property.

While council did have concerns, the main reason they passed this is to help keep Midland beautiful.

But some Midlanders believe its infringing on their private property rights.

Phillip Gomez feels he should be able to park his car wherever he wants on his land.

"I think this is our yard and we should be able to do what we want with it...more of a city thing not a something were doing together because we don't all agree on it," said, Midland Resident, Phillip Gomez.

The root of his belief is this: if it doesn't bother anyone, who should it matter?

"My brother serves in Afghanistan, he has nowhere else to park his vehicle so we parked it there and I don't think that bothers anybody," said Gomez.

Midland city Councilman Michael Trost  has the same types of issues with the ordinance.

He says he reluctantly approved it. 

"Reluctant but I am hopeful this will be a good ordinance for everyone," said Councilman Trost.

He's worried about safety.

He said with the new law, more cars will be parking along the street, making it harder for fire fighters and ambulances to get through.

"Some concerns I have about safety issues of the narrower streets across the city people need help and they need to get it quickly," said Trost.

But what the council does agree on is making sure Midland stays beautiful, and the majority of citizens are happy.

"It's about keeping property taxes low. And only when your neighborhood is in decline and the city has to go in and clean things up do taxes start to go up," said Councilman John James.

"Its important to keep Midland beautiful. If anything i want it to improve and become even better. If we want to be a first class number one city lets do it," said Trost.

It's important to note there are some cases where people will still be allowed to park on lawns.

But these are restrictive.

Here are the exceptions.

Residents with no sidewalks or gutters can park on their lawn.

If the driver is disabled and has the mirror tag in place.
   
And finally, if the house doesn't have a paved driveway, they can use the lawn.

This ordinance will officially go into effect May 1st of next year.

James told me that Midland police won't be acting like the "grass police."

They can issue citations but Code Enforcement Officials will be the ones in charge.
   
However, breaking this law can get expensive, costing up to $200 in fines.