December 14, 2024
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Winter is coming and Yorkville has a plan in place

New parking snow ordinance put in place

By Joey Weslo
A Yorkville municipal plow pushes snow and applies salt on Game Farm Road during a major snowstorm in Yorkville on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2023.

A Yorkville municipal plow pushes snow and applies salt on Game Farm Road during a major snowstorm in Yorkville on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2023. The City Council is voting on a new overnight parking prohibition to allow snowplows to clear the downtown Hydraulic District parking lot. (Steven Buyansky for Shaw Local/Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media)

As the winter wonderland approaches Yorkville, here’s what you need to know to let it snow – but not let the city tow. The city’s past snow ordinances, carrying $50 fines, remain in effect with one new parking measure approved by the Yorkville City Council at their Dec. 10 meeting.

Pass by unanimous vote, the ordinance prohibits overnight parking on the recently city-purchased FS property in the heart of the downtown Hydraulic District. The riverside district, which is home to local favorites like Rowdy’s and the Law Office Pub, features the largest parking area in the downtown area. Drivers are prohibited from parking in the lot from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. daily.

The Public Works Department expressed concerns to city officials about clearing the lot after snowfall because of the number of overnight parked cars, according to city documents.

Failure to comply with this ordinance or any other parking ordinance may result in a citation which carries a fine of $50. The city maintains the right to tow any illegally parked vehicle and to assess to the owner or driver of the car all towing charges billed to the city.

If you are parking elsewhere on the streets of Yorkville and snow is expected, be prepared to get out your tape measure. The city ordinance prohibiting parking on city streets after two or more inches of snowfall remains in effect. The prohibition continues until 24 hours after the snowfall has stopped, according to city documents.

The Public Works Department says in city documents that following this ordinance ensures they have ample time to clear the roads to allow for safer travel.

City officials encourage residents to utilize the Yorkville Police Department’s Facebook page to stay updated on inclement weather and active parking bans.

The $50 fine extends not only to city parkers, but also to people who may increase the amount of snow in city roads. According to city ordinances, you may be fined for shoveling snow from driveways and sidewalks into city streets.

The city does ask residents with a fire hydrant located in-front of their property to shovel and clear the area around the fire hydrant to ensure access by first responders.

The Public Works Department’s city snow plan prioritizes removing snow from the highest traveled roadways first before working on clearing the lesser-traveled roads.

According to city documents, the city’s main roadway arteries are prioritized first, followed by subdivision streets, and then cul-de-sacs, alleys, sideways and parking lots.

In the event of extreme heavy snow, cul-de-sacs will only be plowed with one accessible driving lane until the more busy roadways of the city are cleared and remain clear for all travelers.

City officials encourage any resident whose mailboxes may be damaged by snowplows to contact the Public Works Department 630-553-4349 within three days of the occurrence for a full replacement.