Yes, You May Park Your Pick-Up Truck in Coral Gables Overnight . . .
It has been well over a year since the Third District Court of Appeal found both Coral Gables' ordinances unconstitutional. The laws banned the parking of personal use pick-up trucks outside within the city limits; even at your own home.
The City's rational behind the laws was that all pick-up trucks look like commercial vehicles, so they all are, regardless of appearance. Mayor Slesnick even stated that pick-up trucks are "gateway vehicles" which, if allowed to be parked outside in the city at night, would lead to citizens parking swamp buggies at their homes. His reasoning won him the Miami New Times Quote of the Year for 2008. The City has asked the Third DCA to review their decision and to certify the question to the Florida Supreme Court as one of great public importance. So far the City has spend well over $200,000 of tax payer monies defending a $50 parking ticket. How crazy is that?
Kerns v. City of Coral Gables
John Kerns, a resident of Coconut Grove has enlisted the services of attorney Spencer Kuvin, of Leopold & Kuvin, to represent him against the City of Coral Gables in a lawsuit similar to mine. John's father Jack is a resident of the City of Coral Gables and has had some health issues which required John to come over and assist him at night. The only problem is that John drives a pick-up truck which has been ticketed numerous times by CG Code Enforcement.
John called and tried to explain to the City zoning officer that his father, on occasions, needed his help due to a serious illness. The City responded that it would continue to ticket John's truck regardless of the reason he parked it outside in the City at night. The City even suggested that if Jack needed urgent attention, that John call a taxi if he was not willing to purchase another car which did not violate the City's laws.
The case is being litigated in Federal Court for John Kerns and for all other persons similarly situated. Spencer Kuvin has requested and received a large portion of copies of old truck parking citations from the City. He is attempting to certify the suit as a class action to force the City to refund people who had to pay for their tickets.
City of Coral Gables Ban On Parking Personal Use Pickup Trucks Is Absurd
Coral Gables' ban on parking personal use pickup trucks outside in the city at night is absurd. City Commissioners as well as Mayor Don Slesnik refuse to rewrite the City's parking ordinances because they feel that pickup trucks are not esthetically pleasing and will have a negative effect on property values. However, there is currently no law or ordinance that would prohibit or ban cars such as this one from parking in the City at anytime of the day. As a matter of fact, I took the picture of this car, which was located at the threshold of the city on Granada and Bird Road, around noon time. The only thing missing was a "Welcome to Coral Gables" sign on the side.
In both cases, Kuvin and Kerns, Spencer Kuvin has asked that the City rewrite the truck parking ordinances to reflect the current trend of citizens in using their trucks as personal, everyday modes of transportation. However, the City and its attorneys have stonewalled all efforts to settle the issues. The effect of the City's litigious mind set has cost the taxpayers of Coral Gables well over $200,000 in legal expenses over the last five years.