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Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - After hearing widespread criticism of a seasonal parking ordinance that was adopted in 2019, the Rochester City Council has acted.

The ordinance restricted parking to only one side of the street on an odd-even basis between October 1st and May 1st. At its Monday meeting, the city council agreed to shorten the time period by two months. It will now be in effect from Nov 1st to April 1st.

Among those who voiced public criticism of the ordinance was Rochester state legislator Fran Bradley. He started an online petition seeking changes in the ordinance which he called “one of the most restrictive in the state.” Bradley suggested the city only use parking restrictions when needed to remove snow or clean streets.

The staff report given to the council for consideration during Monday's meeting included this narrative:

Reducing the length of time when seasonal parking restrictions are in effect will be a more friendly policy for residents, while still allowing for street maintenance to sweep leaves and sand, plow snow, and perform other maintenance activities like pothole patching and stormwater inlet cleaning.

News update:  A face mask recommendation issued by Olmsted County.

Wow! Check out how Rochester has changed throughout the years in these Google photos.

As we are soaring down Hwy 52, it is hard to imagine what life was like in our town before the Target store was built where it is today. Or the house that you live in now, at one point in town, that wasn't there. In fact, Rochester has grown so fast throughout the years, most of our houses weren't even around 50 years ago! Don't believe me? Look through these photos to get a glimpse of what Rochester was like years ago.

 

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