Charlotte City Council to discuss illegal truck parking at retreat

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte City Council plans to discuss illegal truck parking at its annual retreat at Monday City Council Retreat. Councilmembers say they have seen an increase in complaints about trucks illegally parking on ramps and streets, particularly in Districts 2 and 4.

ALSO READ: Residents say semi-trucks parked in north Charlotte neighborhood cause driving hazards

“It is very annoying and just so unattractive,” Antoinette Mingo, a District 4 resident, said.

Antoinette Mingo says she is fed up with trucks parking on the side of streets and ramps and not just because they are unappealing, but also because of safety.

“The trucks are no tiny vehicles. Those are huge vehicles,” she said. “It is a safety issue.”

The city thinks so, as well. Councilmembers Renee Johnson and Malcolm Graham have been leading voices on the issue.

“We have to address this. Our residents have to know we are addressing semi-truck parking, grass and litter issues, specifically in District 4,” Johnson said. “We have a huge, huge problem in the city.”

“I think it is an immediate concern,” Graham said.

The city identified seven areas as problem spots where tractor-trailers are frequently found including on ramps to Interstate 485 in the University area, the Interstate 85 Connector and West Sugar Creek north of West W.T. Harris Boulevard.

According to Housing and Neighborhood Services, code violations have jumped from under 300 in 2019 to 830 in 2022. According to HNS, Code Enforcement does not have the authority to tow and a citation can only be issued if a previous notice of violation has been issued. Staff members are canvassing in the areas of concern at least two days a week.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department did not respond to a request for comment on this story.

According to HNS, CMPD has been issuing parking citations, but the fine is only $25 and has “had little effect on the situation.” HNS says potential solutions include educational campaigns, no parking signs and making it easier to report violations.

Mayor Vi Lyles says the issue mainly stems from drivers having to pull over after hitting a certain number of hours on the road.

Mingo wishes they would park at rest areas or designated locations. She’s glad the city is looking for solutions.

“I am saying it is a city, a county and state problem because they should be working together for their constituents,” she said.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation says trucks are not allowed to park on ramps and posting no-parking signs are not required by law.

The transportation department says truck parking on ramps has become an ongoing maintenance expense due to the degradation of pavement. NCDOT says there also may be drop-offs from the edge of the pavement to the shoulder.

According to NCDOT, unless a truck is disabled or directed by law enforcement, it should not be parked on a ramp at any time.

VIDEO: Exit ramps becoming truck parking lots thanks to federal rule change