Parking permit ordinance on Oxford aldermen agenda

Published 6:00 am Monday, September 5, 2016

Oxford citizens will have a chance to express their concern or approval of a proposed new city law that would establish residential parking districts that would require homeowners in those neighborhoods to purchase parking permits to park on the street near their home.

The meeting will be at 5 p.m. during the Oxford Board of Aldermen’s regular meeting Tuesday at City Hall.

Last month, Alderman Robyn Tannehill said the spirit of the ordinance is to keep people who do not live in the neighborhood from occupying parking spaces on the street for long periods of time.

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With the University of Mississippi reducing much of its on-campus parking and charging $88 for its park-and-ride permit, students and staff have been parking on residential streets close to the campus, according to city officials.

If passed, the new parking permit ordinance would be enforced 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. It would not affect gameday or church parking on the weekends.

Residents could elect to purchase a permit, once a year, for $100 per vehicle, which would give them the right to park for an unlimited amount of time on the street. They can purchase two temporary passes at $50 each for visitors. If a resident chooses not to purchase the permits, they can still park for the two hours currently allowed before having to move their vehicle.

Those found during the hours of enforcement without a permit, parking beyond the two-hour time limit, will be fined $10 for the first two infractions, $25 for the third citation and $50 for the fourth and subsequent violations within any 12-month period. Those vehicles with three or more unpaid citations could be towed or booted.

Also on Tuesday, aldermen will review a map of proposed parking permit neighborhoods. Fifth Street and Tyler and Van Buren avenues have been previously identified as potential residential parking districts.