Bell : Auto Clutter Ordinance

In an effort to discourage the use of public parking facilities as long-term storage yards for dismantled vehicles, the City Council introduced an ordinance Monday that would prohibit the parking of a vehicle at such facilities for more than 72 hours.

The city bought property in the commercial area along Atlantic Boulevard for patrons to use, said David Meyer, director of community development, but city officials found that the parking lots were being “turned into storage yards.”

The ordinance would allow the city to cite the vehicle’s owner, tow the vehicle away, or both, Meyer said.

If the ordinance passes a second reading, scheduled for Feb. 17, it will go into effect 30 days later. Signs will be posted at that time, Meyer said.