Council still at odds over odd-even parking

Although it is only in two areas so far, the odd-even parking experiment continues to divide the Elgin City Council.

In a rather perfunctory vote this week, Elgin council members were to sign off on making odd-even parking apply year-round to the Gifford Park and South West Area Neighbors parts of town.

In June, council members agreed to keep the schedule for those two areas but removed the southern part of Cobbler's Crossing and Randall Ridge, which were two other neighborhoods in a four-area trial from fall 2008 through spring 2009.

City staff members say an odd-even parking schedule will help make the public services of leaf collection, street sweeping and snow removal more efficient and predictable.

Mayor Ed Schock and Councilman John Steffen said they both have issues with the odd-even parking, but only Steffen voted no.

Schock said he believes the city should look into a 24-hour ban after a significant snow, but noted he was voting yes because of the council direction given in June.

"I think there are better ways to accomplish this objective," he said.

Steffen said he doesn't believe the restrictions should be in effect all year and the ban puts parking at a premium for areas with more apartments. "There are a lot of people who have problems finding parking," he said.

The city is considering expanding the restrictions on Sept. 23 to the Eagle Heights subdivision and is awaiting results from a neighborhood poll.

In the past few months, people both for and against the odd-even schedule have voiced their concerns at city council meetings.

City Manager Sean Stegall expects that to continue.

"There isn't an option that isn't going to make a large number of people unhappy," he said. "There are pros and cons to every single option."