MISSOULA — Missoula County Commissioners approved an overnight parking ban last month on roads near the airport.
Business owners in the area said people living in their cars caused disruptions, and left trash in public places.
The resolution to approve the ban cites a public nuisance created by the parked vehicles.
The ban is in effect on Interstate Place, Desmet Road, and Expressway Boulevard.
Vehicles parked on these roads between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. are subject to removal and may be referred to the Missoula County Sheriff's Office.
Missoula County Commissioner Jaunita Vero says it’s a difficult line to walking wanting to please business owners – and to help people in need.
"It's not a simple, easy fix that's going to be done with a resolution and our signatures,” Vero said. “It takes a lot of human effort, and that's what's hard, but we're doing the best we can."
Vero says the commissioners want to connect people that are experiencing homelessness to resources like the Hope Rescue Mission.
Missoula County commissioners recently adopted an ordinance prohibiting overnight parking on two East Missoula streets in an effort to end what area residents and business owners have described as a growing nuisance.
