The "No Parking" signs will be posted on an as-needed basis, according to Tomball Marketing Director Mike Baxter. As the size and location of the evnt dictates the areas in which street parking is not allowed, all eight street areas will not be closed to parking at the same time, he said.
Aug. 8
Tomball may no longer allow parking at these 8 locations during city festivals
Parking along some downtown Tomball streets will no longer be permitted during city festivals if Tomball City Council approves an ordinance amendment upon second reading Aug. 21. The council cast its first vote on the ordinance during a meeting Monday, Aug. 7, voting unanimously to adopt the change.
If adopted Aug. 21, the ordinance would take effect 14 days later and establish No Parking zones in eight areas downtown.
Tomball City Council cast its first vote Monday to create additional No Parking zones during city festivals in the downtown area.[/caption]Marketing Director Mike Baxter said No Parking signs would be posted the night before a city festival and be in effect for the duration of the event. Vehicles parked in a No Parking zone would be towed at the expense of the owner.
Baxter said vehicles parked along streets pose a challenge for festival layouts, vendors and attendees.
"As the festival program has grown over the past six years in the downtown area, the problem with vehicles parked overnight on the streets in our festival areas has also grown," Baxter said. "A vehicle parked on the curb in an active festival area is not only a cause of problems during the event layout, but it also can create a public safety issue. What we're asking is that we allow for towing on [some downtown] streets."
Requested No Parking zones include:
- North Elm Street from Houston to West Main streets
- Commerce Street from North Elm to Cherry streets
- North Walnut Street from Houston to West Main streets
- Market Street from South Elm to South Pine streets
- South Elm Street from West Main to Market streets
- South Walnut Street from West Main to Fannin streets
- South Oak Street from West Main to Fannin streets
- South Pine Street from West Main to Fannin streets
Street parking would not be allowed in these areas during city-approved events, such as Christmas on Commerce, the Rails & Tails Mudbug Festival and the Freight Train Food Truck Festival, Baxter said.
During Monday's meeting, the council also voted to allow only catch-and-release fishing at Theis Attaway Nature Park. Cast nets will no longer be permitted at the facility. Upon a second vote on the amendment Aug. 21, signs will be posted at the park notifying visitors of the change, officials said.
