SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Pickups, vans and SUVs that are more than 18 feet long may be banned from parking in some areas on Phillips Avenue, in downtown Sioux Falls.
At the corner of 10th and Philips, you’ll find the Philips Avenue Diner.
General manager Ginger Robinson says customers ask about the parking frequently.
“All the time almost every day parking is an issue and it’s brought up. We actually have to keep quarters here to trade people so they can plug the meters,” Robinson said.
Robinson thinks banning larger vehicles along Phillips Avenue would help the flow of traffic.
“I’ve even experienced that myself just trying to drive down Phillip’s Avenue and the truck sticking out, you have to pull over into the other lane and that could cause an accident,” Robinson said.
Sioux Falls resident, Paul Marvin thinks it would be nice to increase the size of the parking spots.
“Well, it seems like it’s a little on a tight side. It’s just kind of hard to maneuver your car into a space like that. And the other thing I think I would say is that I think it’s a little on the expensive side,” Marvin said. “But again, I think it’s just kind of difficult to get in the space.”
Steve Nosbush with MatchBox Candle Co. says even if it passes, he’s not sure people will listen.
“I guess I feel I don’t know how they will be able to police it, especially people from out of town. I don’t know how they will be able to police that. And the 18-foot would probably mainly be extended cab pickups with long boxes or delivery vehicles,” Nosbush said.
While measuring the KELO Car, results showed the Toyota SUV at about 16 feet.
If the ordinance passes it wouldn’t take effect until May 1 of next year.
And it would only impact four blocks, between 9th and 13th Streets.
“I think it would be helpful. I think it would clean it up a little bit just to have those big vehicles out of there would be nice,” Robinson said.
Zandbroz Variety manager, Jamie Scarbrough said they have mixed feelings about the ordinance saying they don’t want to deter customers with bigger vehicles from going downtown. However, they said all drivers should be considerate and pull all the way into the spot when parking on Phillips Avenue.
The city council is set to vote next week on the proposed parking ordinance.
If in violation, the driver would have to pay a $15 fine.
For more information about the proposed ordinance click the story below.
18-foot parking spots heading to council vote
