Milwaukee has extended some of its winter parking regulations until March 15.
The restrictions apply to areas of residential roadway displaying signs that say parking is prohibited between December 1 and March 1.
That March 1 limit has now been extended to March 15.
"We are extending that until March 15, because of the inclement weather conditions, and to ensure these narrower streets around the city are safe and passable," said Thomas Woznick, the city's Parking Services Manager.
In a news release, the city's Department of Public Works said: "Winter weather conditions impact the ability of emergency vehicles, snow clearing vehicles and passenger vehicles to safely move through narrow residential streets. Therefore, certain residential streets are restricted to parking on a specific side of the street during the winter months."
Milwaukee Alderman Bob Bauman, who represents Downtown, said he doesn't think the extension was properly thought through.
"In a way, this is really a tacit admission that snow plowing up to this point has been very poor," the Alderman said.
Bauman added this year's snowfall hasn't been particularly outrageous.
"My research indicates that as of the end of February, the 2018/2019 snowfall amounts in the City of Milwaukee total 46.3 inches – only the sixth highest in 15 years," Bauman said in a news release.
He said he's also worried the change will cause confusion among Milwaukeeans who park on the street overnight.
The city said failure to comply with the parking regulation extension will result in a $35 ticket.
"Vehicles may also be subject to towing," DPW added in a news release.
All vehicles need a valid parking permit to park during overnight hours on City streets.
Woznick left open the possibility of extending the regulations longer if the weather fails to warm up.
"We'll determine what to do based on conditions over the next 15 days," he said. "Our hope is we won't need to do that."
