UPDATE: According to Macon.com, the ordinance has passed. Trucks are now prohibited from parking in vacant parking lots for more than 2 hours at a time, however, an amendment was added to the ordinance providing longer stays if the driver receives permission from the property owner.
The council is now seeking feedback from drivers about possible parking alternatives or solutions.
Today, the Warner Robins City Council will vote on an ordinance that would ban trucks from parking overnight on empty commercial lots.
Warner Robins is located just off of Interstate 75, 25 miles south of Macon. The city, like many others, currently has a ban that prohibits trucks from entering residential streets, but tonight’s vote would further restrict trucks.
Councilman Mike Brashear, son of a truck driver, says that truck parking has become an “eyesore and a nuisance.”
“(They’re)using our vacant grocery stores as just a parking lot to sleep overnight and it’s just not something we really want to exhibit in our city,” Warner Robins Council member, Mike Brashear told News Central Georgia.
Brashears told News Central Georgia that truck drivers should park at the local Pilot, along the exit ramps or at rest areas.
Truck driver Larry Walker says the ban doesn’t make sense.
“I don’t think it’s fair due to the fact that it’s part of an occupation and you know, as long as it’s not blocking up business, why not?” Walker said.
Walker says it’s safer for drivers to park in the vacant lots than along the exit ramps.
“I think it’s better to park here (parking lots), well not abandoned vacant parking lots, lighted areas due to the fact that you’d rather that, then have them park on the side of the exit,” Walker told News Central Georgia.
If passed, Brashears said the city will waste no time in enforcing the ban.
“We’ll put it into effect and start issuing citations,” Brashear said. “We have a contract in place for the trucking company that will pull them for us.”
The Warner Robins City Council will meet tonight for a vote. CDLLife will update you on this developing story.
If you’re in the area and would like to have your voice heard, the city council meeting is from 5:30pm – 7:00pm tonight at the City Hall building, located at 700 Watson Blvd.