Downtown drivers accustomed to making a U-turn to snag a good parking spot may want to rethink that maneuver.The Powell City Council is considering expanding the current U-turn ordinance so it would be considered illegal to cross the center of street to reach a parking spot on the opposite side – banning a practice known as a J-turn.

The council already approved amendments to the U-turn ordinance on two readings and will consider it for the final reading Monday night.

Currently, drivers can cross the center of a street to park on the other side, even in downtown areas where “No U-Turn” signs are posted. Proposed amendments would alter the ordinance so the flip-around-to-park maneuver would be considered an illegal U-turn — but only in downtown areas with “No U-Turn” signs.

“We're trying to prevent that turn from happening,” said Gary Butts, city public services manager. “It's an unsafe maneuver that shouldn't be allowed.”

However, in parts of town without “No U-turn” signs, the move still will be considered legal.

“In areas not posted with ‘No U-Turn' signs, a U-turn is allowed if it can be completed without interfering with other traffic, and the width of the street will permit such a turn to be made with one continuous motion and without striking the curb,” the ordinance reads.

Around a decade ago, Powell's Municipal Court judge ruled that the city's U-turn ordinance did not prohibit drivers from crossing the center of the street to park on the opposite side.

“At that point, we ceased enforcing it,” said Police Chief Tim Feathers.

Feathers said essentially all of the complaints he's heard about the driving maneuver in recent years have concerned Bent Street, in large part near the post office.

Feathers said signs and education regarding the amended ordinance should lower the number of drivers crossing the street to park on the opposite side — but, like any other traffic violation, the practice will not disappear.

He said enforcing the ordinance may present some challenges for police, noting that when cars are parked along Bent Street, there is little room for officer traffic stops.

“You essentially end up blocking the street,” said Feathers of a Bent Street stop. He said pulling a driver over there cuts off traffic in at least one lane, and perhaps for 10 minutes while the stop is performed.

Feathers said the department will look at all viable methods of enforcing the ordinance if it passes, mentioning the possibility of officer foot patrols.

At first, Feathers said, police will issue warnings and then start issuing citations.

An illegal U-turn is generally punishable by a fine of $60.

Feathers said his research for the city's traffic committee showed that in the last year, no accidents were caused by drivers crossing the center line to park on the opposite side.

“Is it possible? Absolutely. Is that a public traffic safety issue? Absolutely,” said Feathers. “(But) does it happen frequently? It does not.”

Butts said some city employees and other residents who frequent the downtown area have seen the need for an amendment to the U-turn ordinance.

“The more you are in the downtown area, the more you think it's a good idea,” he said.