Officials in Rhinebeck, New York, have taken decisive action to address parking issues affecting local residents. On November 24, 2023, the Town Board unanimously approved measures granting authority to tow vehicles for parking violations. This decision marks a significant step toward enforcing regulations designed to protect on-street parking spaces for residents of Rhinecliff, particularly against long-term parking by Amtrak riders.
New Regulations Aim to Preserve Local Parking
During the Town Board meeting, Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia emphasized the importance of this initiative. “This needs to be filed with the Department of State before we can adopt parking regulations for Rhinecliff, but this does empower the removal of vehicles,” she stated. While the specific parking rules for Rhinecliff are still pending adoption, the authorization enables immediate action against vehicles that violate existing regulations.
Spinzia also pointed out the potential urgency of the situation, particularly with winter approaching. “It’s November … we could get snow,” she noted, highlighting the need for regulations that allow for vehicle removal during emergencies. The adopted guidelines permit law enforcement or the town’s highway superintendent to remove vehicles during extreme weather conditions such as snowstorms, floods, or public emergencies that impact public highways and parking lots.
Details of the Parking Regulations
The Town Board has outlined specific fines for parking violations. Regular infractions will incur a fine of $65, while violations of seasonal parking restrictions will result in fines of $250. The seasonal regulations prohibit parking or leaving a vehicle unattended on any town road between midnight and 8 a.m. from November 1 to April 15.
Expected to be voted on in December, the proposed parking regulations include the following limits:
- Shatzell Avenue: A 15-minute parking limit on the north side between Charles Street and the Rhinecliff Fire Department parking lot, and three-hour limits for the north side to Charles Street and the south side from the west end to Grinell Street, as well as from Kelly Street to Orchard Drive.
- Kelly Street: A three-hour parking limit between Morton Memorial Library and Shatzell Avenue.
- Orchard Drive: A three-hour parking limit between Shatzell Avenue and Charles Street.
As the town prepares to finalize these regulations, local officials are optimistic that the new measures will enhance parking availability for residents and improve overall community access.
