After Record-Breaking Snowfall, Support Grows For Bill To Suspend Parking Rules

Following the record-breaking blizzard that blanketed parts of the city in almost three feet of snow, support is growing in the city council for a bill that would suspend certain parking and meter regulations after snowstorms.

City Councilman Jumaane Williams introduced the bill last February in order to alleviate burdens for drivers navigating the snow-packed streets. The bill would require the city to suspend parking, meter and muni-meter rules after snowstorms. Williams pointed out that the city’s decision to lift alternate side parking requirements after the most recent snowfall acknowledged the difficulties faced by drivers.

“I don’t understand the logic of having one without the other,” Williams said. “[This weekend’s blizzard] has renewed interest in the bill and it’s brought an opportunity for us to address these issues.”

The bill now has co-sponsorship from councilmembers Peter Koo, Donovan Richards, Stephen Levin, and Chaim Deutsch.

Deutsch said he signed on to support the legislation after Saturday’s storm. He plans to send out a letter to his colleagues in the city council urging them to back the bill.

“I believe that this bill will affect thousands of people,” Deutsch said. “The snow causes a major hardship for many drivers, especially seniors and disabled people who don’t have a parking permit, who have to climb over mounds of snow to reach the muni-meters.”

“When they suspend alternate side parking because of the snow, it seems like common sense to also suspend requirements for the meters,” he added.

The law would require alternate side parking rules to be waived for at least 24 hours after any snowfall that caused the Department of Sanitation to suspend street sweeping. If the snow is higher than six inches, the city must suspend for 48 hours all parking meter, muni-meter, and other regulations, except no standing and permit parking rules.

Williams said the bill could help aid the Department of Sanitation in clearing the streets of snow. While the city already has the power to suspend certain parking requirements during severe weather events, Williams said the legislation would bring greater clarity and consistency to storm cleanup efforts.

“I think it’s important to have all the different parts of government working together,” he said. “Our role as legislators is to make sure that every option is discussed and used.”