Illegal parking of many sorts might soon cost more in Kalamazoo. The city commission has taken a first step toward raising fines for parking “don’ts,” which range from overstaying a metered spot to leaving your keys in the ignition (yes, that's a violation of the city code).
Costs for some offenses will double. That includes parking more than a foot from the curb, blocking a drive, parking in an alley and parking against traffic, all of which would cost $20 instead of $10 under the revisions.
Commissioner Matt Milcarek says he expects higher fines to make a positive difference in his neighborhood.
“One year we lost an entire lane of traffic because it snowed and people felt that ten dollars was better than shoveling their driveway, because it was such a small fee,” he says.
But Commissioner Jack Urban says some parking spots could use better markings, so people know if they’re using them correctly.
"All of us would certainly be much more willing to pay the fine if we clearly could see that we had violated the law," he says.
If the commission approves the new fines, enforcement will start July 1. Members are expected to make that decision at the commission next meeting, when they will also consider whether to make a nonbinding endorsement of higher parking rates downtown. The board that controls downtown parking rates voted last month to raise them.
