Batavia may loosen overnight parking ban

Like many other Chicago suburbs, Batavia has long prohibited parking cars overnight on streets.

Doing so makes it easier for police on patrol to distinguish vehicles that don't belong to residents, and discourages people from parking cars, especially inoperable junkers, on the street for days at a time.

But several aldermen say some overnight parking may be necessary for residents who have more cars than they have room to park on their driveways.

Alderman Marty Callahan has proposed the city create a permit, perhaps several months long.

He said Tuesday it could help in situations such as when there are four or more drivers in a household, such as when adult children are living with their parents.

It could cut down on the number of people parking on driveways but illegally blocking a sidewalk.

He also wants the city code to be more specific about when the city may grant permission to park overnight on the street temporarily.

Currently, it says the police have power to grant exceptions in "emergency" situations. If they deny it, a resident can appeal to the city council.

Typically, the police will grant permission for times when people are having driveways repaired or seal-coated; when overnight guests are staying at the house; or when a resident knows a party is likely to last past 1 a.m., the time when the parking ban begins.

People have to call in advance.

Convenience - as in not wanting to jockey cars on a driveway - is not an emergency, Police Chief Gary Schira said.

Aldermen also suggested changing the time of the ban - 1 to 6 a.m. - to 2 to 5 a.m. That would match the 2 a.m. closing time of bars.

Schira also pointed out there are things to consider, such as whether a person seeking a permit should have to prove they are using their garage to park vehicles, rather than as a storage space, be it for inoperable vehicles, boats or other items. And he predicts, based on his experience and a survey of other Western suburbs, that neighbors will complain about others parking in "their" space in front of their house.

Schira and City Administrator Laura Newman will take aldermen's suggestions and return with a proposal on an unspecified date.