Alpharetta advances illegal parking tow measure

An ordinance amendment that would give Alpharetta police the authority to have towed vehicles parked in temporary no-parking zones has been accepted on first reading by the Alpharetta City Council.

The measure would apply to temporary no-parking zones created for special events, such as the Taste of Alpharetta, farmers markets and other street events, according to a staff report to the council. Police could have an offending vehicle towed to the nearest garage or other place of safety, at its owner’s expense.

In addition to safety concerns, an illegally parked vehicle can obstruct event set-up, create a situation where it’s surrounded and can’t get out, and if it’s damaged, possibly lead to its owner seeking compensation from the city, resulting in a costly legal dispute, staff said.