Multiple departments at the City of Hot Springs are collaborating in an effort to increase awareness of and adherence to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking guidelines.
Planning & Development, the Police Department and Public Information are among the City departments that developed and have already put the wheels into motion on improving accessibility throughout Hot Springs.
The Hot Springs Police Department intends to use a list of all businesses within the city limits for compliance checks in terms of ADA parking – the appropriate number of ADA spaces, which are correctly marked with paint and signage. Any business not in compliance will be instructed on how to correct the issue(s). The HSPD is committed to enforcing ADA parking regulations, but is limited in writing citations to those inappropriately parked in ADA spaces if the spaces are not marked according to ADA guidelines, which includes paint striping and an ADA “Reserved Parking” sign at least 60” in height.
There is a new webpage on the City’s website – www.cityhs.net/ADA – that includes detailed information regarding ADA parking regulations, including a chart that provides the minimum number of accessible parking spaces required for parking facilities (i.e., a parking lot with 26-50 spaces is required to have two accessible spaces and at least one should be van-accessible). The webpage also includes information about tax incentives for small businesses that improve accessibility and a link to a “Misuse of Parking” complaint report through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration for vehicles suspected of inappropriately using disabled parking.
City inspectors in the Planning & Development Department are carrying informative flyers with ADA parking guideline information, and are sharing them with businesses not in compliance. ADA parking compliance is also being included as a requirement for Change of Occupancy Inspections when new businesses move into a facility, as well as being included on Conditional Use site compliance checks.
ADA parking advocate Ann Kendrick recently met virtually with representatives from these City departments, and she said she is excited by the plan and what has already taken place to demonstrate the City’s commitment to providing access to all public places and to all individuals. “I feel like this will be of benefit to all parties involved with this change – from the handicapped individual attempting to find parking and, hopefully, in perhaps bringing more revenue to our community by demonstrating that we are a city that cares about accessibility for all,” she said.