SAN CLEMENTE, CA – Responding to concerns brought by residents and the police department regarding on-street parking by commercial vehicles, City Council recently voted to approve a new ordinance regarding commercial vehicle street parking. A second reading of that ordinance is scheduled for the April 21 City Council meeting, after which should it pass the ordinance will be enacted, according to the San Clemente Times.

San Clemente Police Services Chief Lt. Paul D'Auria detailed the challenge enforcement officials have had in dealing with parking of commercial vehicles on public streets. The new ordinance will amend current city municipal code relating to on-street parking for commercial vehicles, recreational vehicles, and trailers. The ordinance is aimed at eliminating overnight parking of commercial vehicles on city streets and updating the description of what is indeed a commercial vehicle for the enforcement of the two hour on-street restriction between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m.

Resident Dale Patterson said he was concerned that independent contractors whose sole vehicle is their pickup truck they use for both personal and business use are being picked on. "You're targeting the average working guy," he said. D'Auria countered by saying that his department specifically worked hard not to target those individuals, stating that the new code clarifies what is and is not a commercial vehicle.