Bagging a"No Parking" sign is not a simple decisionWhat town staff thought would be a simple decision turned into a lengthy discussion with Council last week. Staff came forward to codify a long-standing practice: Temporarily covering (“bagging”) no-parking signs to allow overflow parking during events. Staff proposed an ordinance to authorize the Town Engineer and Chief of Police to suspend no-parking restrictions under circumstances when nearby parking options have been exhausted and safety can be maintained. Instead of a routine discussion of the item, staff encountered a wary public and a cautious Council, both of which raised a series of questions the proposed ordinance.
Longstanding practice lacks legal authority
The Town Engineer’s office proposed the ordinance after finding that the long-standing practice of staff approving “bagging” no-parking signs had no basis in Town Code. Requests have been reviewed and approved by the Town Engineer and Police Chief, based on the impact that bagging would have on safety. They have been doing this for more than 20 years, granting perhaps ten events each year. It occurs most often in the area around Kriegh Park, the Aquatic Center, and Canyon del Oro High School. Events there can attract a large number of attendees, creating demand for parking that exceeds what is available.
Longstanding practice lacks legal authority
The Town Engineer’s office proposed the ordinance after finding that the long-standing practice of staff approving “bagging” no-parking signs had no basis in Town Code. Requests have been reviewed and approved by the Town Engineer and Police Chief, based on the impact that bagging would have on safety. They have been doing this for more than 20 years, granting perhaps ten events each year. It occurs most often in the area around Kriegh Park, the Aquatic Center, and Canyon del Oro High School. Events there can attract a large number of attendees, creating demand for parking that exceeds what is available.
OVCN request brings issue to light
Staff brought the ordinance to Council after a recent request to allow temporary parking in the Calle Concordia/Buena Vista area prompted them to review the code and realize no formal authority existed. While staff emphasized that the proposed ordinance was not tied to any single applicant, they specifically mentioned a request by the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene for an upcoming event. Street parking in and around OVCN was prohibited by Town Council last year, following significant effort by area residents. As a result, any suspension of those no-parking restrictions is a significant concern for those who live nearby.
Residents raise safety and fairness concerns
Which is why residents who live in the area showed up at the meeting to express their concerns. Three residents spoke, raising strong concerns about safety. They cited increased traffic in their neighborhood and general disruption. They also questioned whether it would be fair for the Town to waive parking restrictions that were put in place to protect them from traffic congestion and safety risks, and to preserve the quiet enjoyment of their property. They noted that more residents would have attended to express similar concerns but chose not to attend out of fear for their personal safety.
Council seeks clearer rules and stronger safeguards
Council discussion reflected many of the same concerns. Members focused on how an ordinance could be written to ensure consistency, fairness, and safety. Several councilmembers questioned how “special events” should be defined, noting that without clear limits the exception could become routine, particularly in areas where events occur frequently. Others emphasized the need to include explicit safety requirements in the code, such as traffic control measures, rather than leaving those decisions solely to staff discretion. Council also raised concerns about notifying nearby residents, the timing of when signs would be covered, and whether recurring events should qualify at all. In addition, they raised questions about who should bear the cost of implementing the temporary changes and whether different types of applicants should be treated differently.
Council delays decision pending revisions
Council took no action on the proposed ordinance. They directed staff to return with a revised ordinance that addresses the concerns raised. They asked staff to refine the definition of qualifying events, incorporate clearer safety requirements, consider a notification process for affected residents, and address issues such as timing, frequency, and cost. During the discussion, staff said the current informal practice would likely continue in the interim, particularly with upcoming events, though no formal direction was given. The item was ultimately tabled, with Council indicating it will revisit the issue later this year, likely after additional review and input from the Town Attorney and staff.
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