The Parking Zone – February 2021
Since the last Parking Zone, the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, or HR6104, picked up more support. However, the bill will need to be reintroduced in the 117th Congress.
In December, Rep. Jim Bank, R-Ind., joined 13 other representatives to support the truck parking bill. The bill was introduced last March by Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill. In the bill, Bost requests $755 million over five years specifically to add truck parking capacity. No more signs or studies. Actual parking spaces. Furthermore, no project funded by the bill can be used for paid parking. In addition to Rep. Bank, the following representatives co-sponsored the bill:
- Brian Babin, R-Texas
- James Baird, R-Ind.
- Angie Craig, D-Minn.
- John Garamendi, D-Calif.
- Greg Gianforte, R-Mont.
- Jim Hagedorn, R-Minn.
- Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo.
- Ron Kind, D-Wis.
- Darin LaHood, R-Ill.
- Greg Pence, R-Ind.
- Tim Ryan, D-Ohio
- Chris Stewart, R-Utah
- Susan Wild, D-Pa.
That was a nice showing of Democrats and Republicans from all across the nation. Unfortunately, a new Congress means we have to do this all over again.
Any pending bills at the end of a congressional session are automatically archived. They can either be reintroduced to the new Congress or never see the light of day again. The latter, which are called orphan bills, are usually the result of the Congress member who introduced the bill either retiring or not getting reelected.
In the case of the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, Rep. Bost was reelected in November, so the bill is expected to be reintroduced. Unfortunately, it will probably not have the easy-to-remember number of 6-10-4. As of press time, the bill had not yet been reintroduced with a new number.
Rep. Bost’s father and uncle owned a trucking company called Bost Trucking. He grew up working for the company, including work as a dispatcher, truck manager, accountant and driver. So you can see why he will probably remain dedicated to the truck parking bill.
Fight over truck stop hits the courtroom
A highly contentious battle over a truck stop in Park City, Kan., continues after the city council overruled the planning commission’s approval.
Lou Robelli, a developer who has been trying to the build a travel center in the Kansas town, filed a lawsuit against the city in late December. If the truck stop were to be built, it would have up to 75 truck parking spaces.
In a 6-1 vote, the planning commission approved Robelli’s request for a zoning change. That decision was met with incredible resistance from residents. The usual concerns were expressed during a council meeting: environment, human trafficking, noise/air pollution, traffic, etc.
Regarding human trafficking, a lawyer who spoke during the meeting went as far as to say that it’s a matter of “when” not “if” a Park City resident is either abducted in human trafficking or sexually assaulted. Many residents threatened to move, with some claiming they are moving because of the truck stop that has not even been approved yet.
Following the meeting, the city council voted 5-4 to deny the rezoning request. Furthermore, the council voted 6-3 to put a full stop to the request by not sending the matter back to the planning commission. Robelli’s lawsuit claims that the council’s decision is “unlawful and unreasonable.”
According to the Wichita Business Journal, the lawsuit states the decision “was based on impermissible plebiscite and public sentiment expressed by a vocal group of residents in the surrounding area and not based on consideration of the benefit or detriment involved to the community at large.”
As of press time, the lawsuit was still pending.
Other truck parking news
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association was tagged in a tweet informing truckers of a nice truck parking spot. According to Nicole Katsikides, research scientist at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Hollywood Casino in Maryland off of Interstate 95 offers free and safe parking. Sure, they probably want you to come in and lose money, but maybe you can hit a jackpot too.
The Shandon Rest Area on state Route 41 in Shandon, Calif., will be closed until June. About halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Caltrans will undergo a major wastewater system improvement project at the rest area. There are about 17 truck parking spaces at the rest area. Similar projects will take place at the Gaviota Rest Area on U.S. 101 in Santa Barbara County and the Camp Roberts Rest Areas on U.S. 101 in Monterey County at a date yet to be announced. Plan accordingly.
A truck stop is being proposed in Greigsville, N.Y. Still in the early phases of planning, the proposed location is near the intersection of Route 63 and Route 36. As expected, there are some gripes from residents. However, since the proposal is basically the sketch phase of the process at press time, anything can happen. The Parking Zone will keep you updated. LL