Spanish Fort approves parking ordinance

Regulations allow city to remove vehicles from Causeway before hurricanes

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SPANISH FORT – The new parking ordinance passed by the Spanish Fort City Council will not only allow police to issue tickets but could also protect property on the Causeway during hurricanes, city officials said.

The council voted Monday, Dec. 6 to approve final passage of the ordinance.

In addition to allowing police to issue tickets for parking violations, the ordinance also allows the police or city crews to remove vehicles parked on public or private property, Rebecca Gaines, city clerk, said.

Under the regulations, a vehicle can be removed if it is parked at a public location for more than 48 hours. The vehicle can also be towed if the driver is impaired, has been arrested or for other reasons in which authorities determine that the removal is needed, she said.

“So that would cover the hurricane situation because those vehicles could cause a lot of damage,” Gaines said.

The Causeway, on which U.S. 98, U.S. 90 and U.S. 31 cross Mobile Bay was built in the 1920s and has flooded during hurricane storm surges. In August 2021, the storm surge from Hurricane Ida covered the Causeway and closed the highway for several days.

David Conner, city attorney, said cars left in areas such as the Causeway can be pushed into buildings and cause property damage.

“One of the purposes of that is to try to eliminate flooding hazards, to try to eliminate things that can go and flood or destroy buildings, so I think that adds another to the protection part,” Conner said. “Not only are we protecting that vehicle or other vehicles, but we’re also protecting other structures that might be destroyed by it.”

Until now, Spanish Fort police have not had the authority to enforce parking restrictions in areas such as city parks, Police Chief John Barber said.

The new ordinance sets fines of $25 for a first offense and $50 for a second offense within two years, Conner said. A third offense in that time carries a $100 fine. Those fines would not include other court costs.

Mayor Mike McMillan said the ordinance is not intended to raise money for the city.

“I can assure you this is not a money-maker for the city of Spanish Fort,” McMillan said. “It’s just a way to give teeth for our police to be able to do their job in the situations that are arising.”