The Oswegonian

The Independent Student Newspaper of Oswego State

DATE

Dec. 22, 2024

Community News

City of Oswego changes overnight parking policy

With winter approaching in Oswego, some city residents can now be exempt from the overnight parking ban by applying for a $75 parking permit.

The Oswego Common Council passed a law in October that would replace the former ban on parking on the streets within the city between midnight to 6 a.m. from December to March.

The reason for the ban was to allow the streets to be cleared in order to make plowing snow easier and faster.

“The background on the parking ban has been in effect for years in the past until about three years ago,” said Shawn Walker, Council President and fourth ward councilor. “We tried alternate street parking for odd and even days and that really did not work too well. We lifted it because the city residents had more vehicles and nowhere to park them so we tried to accommodate them.

 Some residents feel that the new law is not the ideal solution. Most households have more than one car.

Other residents made a point to try and establish Syracuse’s 24-hour alternative side system here in Oswego. That plan will be looked into more in the future.   

   “I live off campus, but I do not have a car,” said Jeffrey Siber, a junior. “My friends who drive often face problems when trying to park around town, because it is hard to find a place to be able to park without facing consequences. Students need more space both on and off campus.”

Oswego State students who live off campus have faced repercussions in the past dealing with the ban. Walker said students face the most difficulties adjusting to parking regulations.

“College kids are coming off break and they’re really not used to it or learn the regulations of it,” Walker said.

Oswego State students have expressed frustration with parking in the city.

   “I moved off campus my sophomore year,” said Meg O’Brien, a senior. “It’s annoying having to figure out where I could park and because of that I have gotten a lot of parking tickets.”

   “I find it difficult to park in town in the winter, because the town does not allow it,” said Brooke Szabo, a senior. “It would be beneficial only if you can park anywhere. The parking situation for off campus students is an inconvenience, but with a permit you are guaranteed a spot.”  

The applications for obtaining parking permits will stop being accepted after Oct. 31. However, according to councilor Nate Emmons, the town will most likely be lenient with the set deadline due to the timing of the new law.

The background on the parking ban has been in effect for years in the past until about three years ago,” said Shawn Walker, Council President and fourth ward councilor. “We tried alternate street parking for odd and even days and that really did not work too well. We lifted it because the city residents had more vehicles and nowhere to park them so we tried to accommodate them.”

Some residents feel that the new law is not the ideal solution. Most households have more than one car.

Other residents made a point to try and establish Syracuse’s 24-hour alternative side system here in Oswego. That plan will be looked into more in the future.   

“I live off campus, but I do not have a car,” said Jeffrey Siber, a junior. “My friends who drive often face problems when trying to park around town, because it is hard to find a place to be able to park without facing consequences. Students need more space both on and off campus.”

Oswego State students who live off campus have faced repercussions in the past dealing with the ban. Walker said students face the most difficulties adjusting to parking regulations.

“College kids are coming off break and they’re really not used to it or learn the regulations of it,” Walker said. 

Oswego State students have expressed frustration with parking in the city.

“I moved off campus my sophomore year,” said Meg O’Brien, a senior. “It’s annoying having to figure out where I could park and because of that I have gotten a lot of parking tickets.” 

“I find it difficult to park in town in the winter, because the town does not allow it,” said Brooke Szabo, a senior. “It would be beneficial only if you can park anywhere. The parking situation for off campus students is an inconvenience, but with a permit you are guaranteed a spot.”    

The applications for obtaining parking permits will stop being accepted after Oct. 31. However, according to councilor Nate Emmons, the town will most likely be lenient with the set deadline due to the timing of the new law.