(KLZA)--A proposal to create an ordinance to restrict off-street parking on certain sides of streets in Falls City dies for lack of a motion during Monday nights Falls City Council meeting.

The idea was proposed during the April 1, Council meeting after a Falls City Volunteer Fire Department truck had difficulty reaching its destination due to cars being parked directly across the street from one another.

Second Ward Council member Kaylie Ractliffe provided information she gathered concerning the width of streets, most vehicles and emergency vehicles. Most emergency vehicles, including fire trucks and ambulances require about a 10-foot-wide opening. With a majority of the city streets at 24.5 feet wide, and cars averaging about 6.5 feet of width, that should leave enough room for the emergency vehicles to pass.

City Administrator Gary Jorn said most city streets are 24-and-a-half feet wide, while there are a few that are narrower. He suggested you would have to go through the city and determine which streets are narrower and then pass parking legislation.

Mayor Bindle noted traditionally, there have not been problems with emergency vehicles being blocked by parked vehicles. She felt the Council needed to consider it was the first time such a situation has occurred.

Fourth Ward Council member Derek Leyden felt a city-wide blanket policy was not a good idea following an isolated incident, noting that there are quite a few homes in his Ward that do not have driveways and he did not want to put a burden on people of having to carry groceries or young children, perhaps in inclement weather a half-block or more because someone was parked in front of their homes.

Following discussion there were no motions was made to move the proposal forward.