Vineyard council overhauls city's 'punitive' parking

VINEYARD — For years, residents along 300 West in Vineyard said they've battled what many describe as "punitive" parking rules.

Cars were often booted or towed within minutes of being parked — all for lacking a city-issued parking pass that some residents said they never even knew was required.

This week, Vineyard City Councilman Jacob Wood, 24, made good on a campaign promise to fix the problem.

The City Council unanimously approved his resolution to repeal the pass requirement, marking the first major step toward untangling Vineyard's long‑standing parking frustrations.

Wood says the severity of enforcement shocked him from the beginning.

Out of "200 cars, every single car was booted," Wood recalled. "I remember some girl who told me she got booted while she was sitting in her car."

Parking impact on residents

The impact of the pass requirement on daily life was significant. Resident Kylie Payne said the parking shortage was so severe, she often couldn't find any legal spot near her home.

"There were no parking spots — like zero. Absolutely none," Payne said.

With no options left, she parked on the city street one night, only to wake up the next morning to a boot on her car. She says even hosting friends or family became nearly impossible.

"It shouldn't be that difficult to have people visit your home," Payne said.

Another resident, Jacob Schooley, said something as simple as a movie night turned into a parking scavenger hunt. Friends had to park far away and request rides to his house because street parking was too risky.

Wood says the situation wasn't just an inconvenience — it damaged Vineyard's image.

"Vineyard has been known around Utah County as 'the parking fiasco,'" he said. "But Vineyard is turning a new page."

Wanting to deliver on his pledge for change, Wood introduced a resolution to repeal the parking-pass mandate. The proposal was met with enthusiasm from other council members.

"I love this idea. … I'm so supportive of it," one remarked during the meeting.

The measure passed unanimously.

Payne said the decision brings a huge sense of relief.

What comes next

Wood says removing the pass requirement is only step one of a broader plan. The next phases include eliminating predatory towing practices that residents say have plagued the area for years and addressing out-of-state homeowners.

According to Wood, investor-owned homes — some housing up to 10 tenants — have intensified parking congestion. He plans to bring forward measures to regulate this.

All these issues will be taken up during the next Vineyard City Council meeting on Feb. 24.

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