Re “Reasons for Church Parking Ban Long Ago Became Outdated” and “Council Should Deny Church’s Parking Petition on Monday”
Isn’t it the longest shot of the season?
Going into this evening’s 7 o’clock meeting in Council Chambers, City Councilman Jim Clarke speculated this afternoon that the bitter, noisy debate over Grace Lutheran Church parking in front of residences could be ended swiftly on a technicality.
In the protective ordinance that shields one block of Farragut Drive residents from any “interlopers” who may wish to park there, one sticky clause states that only “residents” have the right of appeal.
That has been the city staff’s position.
However, based on Council history, it seems unlikely the five members will vote to choke off discussion before the large crowd – loaded with emotional backers in both camps – has a chance to declare its positions.
“The staff’s position when the new parking districts were put in,” said Mr. Clarke, “was that this was a residential parking program. Only the residents could file an appeal.”
At least one Council member, not Mr. Clarke, disagrees with that interpretation. Nevertheless, said Mr. Clarke, when Ilbert Phillips, attorney for the church, sought relief, “the staff turned him down on the grounds he had no right of appeal.”
Will that influence the Council’s reasoning this evening?
Mr. Clarke exhaled.
“In some sense,” he said, “that is one issue.
“The reality is, though, that anyone can get up in front of a City Council meeting during the Public Comment period and ask them to agendize something.”
Colleague Andy Weissman, an attorney, did do that “so that we would talk about it,” Mr. Clarke said.
By late afternoon, there was not a clue which way the City Council will lean.
