Shenandoah could soon face a $500 fine for parking their non-passenger vehicles on public streets overnight. Non-passenger vehicles are defined by the city council as larger than two axles, including RVs, boats and trailers. According to the proposed ordinance, they would need to be off city streets from 10 p.m. until 7 a.m.

"The ordinance has come about by the concerns about safety and getting standards that are enforceable," said City Administrator Greg Smith. "The safety issues involve sight distances and visibility."

Boats, trailers, moving vans, Jet Skis, golf carts and ATVs will be considered too large for night parking in Shenandoah, according to the ordinance. Commercial vehicles exceeding two axles, longer than 26 feet in length and taller than 10 feet in height could fall under the new ordinance as too large to park on the streets during the designated hours.

Councilmembers John Houston and Michael McLeod have asked for a location for drivers to park their non-passenger vehicles if the ordinance takes effect. Considerations for a parking location could include security enforcement, an access gate and whether or not there will be a charge or if residents will be able to park their large vehicles at the facility for no charge.

Shenandoah has discussed the issue of the ordinance at three different council meetings in the past, Smith said. The street parking ordinance will be up for adoption Oct. 8 at the Shenandoah City Council meeting. If the ordinance passes, each 24-hour period a vehicle is left on the street will result in another fine for violators. Residents will be advised of the date that they are expected to park their large vehicles at other locations when the ordinance becomes active.

"[The] effective date will be determined when and if the ordinance passes," Smith said.