MAGNOLIA SPRINGS – After months of deliberation and revisions, Magnolia Springs approved an ordinance at the close of September that will designate public parking spaces and provide restrictions for Rock Street and Rock Landing. The ordinance comes after citizens of Magnolia Springs brought parking issues to the council, concerned with street and drive blockages due to unauthorized parking.

Council began discussions back in May to decide the best legal action to take in order to prevent multiple cars from parking in the closed area, trapping vehicles in their driveways and congesting traffic on Rock Street and around Rock Landing.

With the new ordinance in place, the town will begin placing signs and marking four public parking spaces along the street. Once the spaces are filled, vehicles will need to find alternative parking elsewhere to access Magnolia River. Any parking outside of the marked parking spaces will be illegal, and violators are subject to towing or fines.

Oversized vehicles and trailers are also now prohibited from parking along Rock Street or at Rock Landing. Any vehicles or trailers larger than eighteen feet will be considered oversized, as stated in the ordinance. The ordinance designates the hours between sunrise and sunset as appropriate times to use the parking spaces. After sunset, those utilizing Rock Street will need to leave.

Signs are being crafted and will be placed at the entrance and along Rock Street detailing the restrictions, warning visitors what is and isn’t allowed. The ordinance has been reviewed by the town’s legal counsel and council multiple times before approval. The council is prepared to take another look if further discussion is necessary.

“If there’s any problems that arise, we can come back and address those problems,” said councilman Ben Dykema. “If we see something, whether it’s alcohol or littering, or if the ordinance is not working, we will address those concerns. This approval doesn’t close everything.”

For more information on Ordinance 2018-02, visit the town’s website at www.townofmagnoliasprings.org.