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Council to Decide Parking Issue

Apartment manager says overnight parking at restaurant disturbs tenants

WAITSBURG – At the request of City Manager Randy Hinchliffe, the Waitsburg City Council has been asked to determine, at their Dec. 20 meeting, whether or not semi trucks can park overnight in the Whiskey Canyon Sports Bar & Grill parking lot.

Hinchliffe explained that, since the restaurant was built, the city has received multiple, sporadic complaints from the onsite manager of the apartments located behind the restaurant. The former Waitsburg Inn, owned by Kieth Parkins, was converted to apartments several years ago.

“Apparently, trucks pull in and stay all night with their engines cycling on and off, which disturbs the residents,” Hinchliffe said.

Hinchliffe said the city’s noise ordinance is vague and states that noise is prohibited if it “reasonably disturbs” a person. He said the restaurant is located in a commercial zone where temporary parking is allowed.

The restaurant, which opened in June of 2015, was built with a large parking lot and a family bathroom with a shower, specifically to attract truck drivers.

“At this time, there is no good scenario for us. We’re not going to be able to please either side. The council needs to decide,” Hinchliffe said.

Mayor Dunn asked how the council could prohibit parking on private property.

“We can’t control who the restaurant allows to park on their property. Nor can we put a sign up saying they can’t leave their trucks running overnight. That’s out of our control,” Dunn said.

Hinchliffe said the city does have the ability to impose certain restrictions in any zone if they believe the activity violates the noise ordinance.

When asked, Hinchliffe said that no other neighbors had complained of noise.

Hinchliffe requested that the council think about it and plan to decide the issue at the Dec. 20 city council meeting.

 

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