I’ve lived in Gilroy for more than 70 years. I grew up on
Swanson Lane. There are two semi trucks that are parked by Rebekah
Children’s home on Forest Street.
“I’ve lived in Gilroy for more than 70 years. I grew up on Swanson Lane. There are two semi trucks that are parked by Rebekah Children’s home on Forest Street. There is an entrance in and out there. These trucks have been there for more than five years. I’ve contacted the police department, but I can’t get anyone to go out there. The hind wheels are parked in the bike lane. The guy who owns these trucks lives right across the way. It may be a truck route, but it is not a truck parking lot.”
and …
“Why are commercial trucks allowed to park on Filice Drive? There are two of them. Why are they allowed to park so close to El Roble Elementary School?”
Red Phone: Dear Parking Patrol, According to the city’s Municipal Code, commercial trucks more than 10,000 pounds can’t be parked on residential streets. However, as Code Enforcement Officer Scott Barron pointed out, they can be parked on private property if they are parked completely off sidewalks and streets, which may be the case with the trucks on Filice Drive.
In addition, the Gilroy Zoning Ordinance prohibits materials being transported to or from the premises in a commercial vehicle, and says “no materials, supplies or equipment shall be stored out-of-doors or in any required garage space.”
As for the area around Rebekah Children’s Services, even though it is zoned as residential, it is still part of the truck route because of the proximity to canneries. As a result, trucks are allowed to park there for a limited time, said Gilroy Police Sgt. Wes Stanford. However this could soon change since the city is updating its truck routes, he said.
“The police department is not aware of an update in the truck route which would make these trucks illegally parked as long as they are moved every 72 hours,” Stanford said. “In our opinion they are legally parked until the truck route is officially changed.”
To report an illegally parked vehicle, you can call police at 846-0350.
