No city code prevents semi-trucks from parking in old Kmart parking lot

A parking lot on S.W. Wanamaker once used by Kmart shoppers incurred damage from semi-trucks that used the lot overnight, but no city code expressly prevents trucks from parking in vacant lots.

A reader asked The Topeka Capital-Journal’s #TopCity What?, which answers reader-submitted questions, if there are any codes prohibiting semis from parking in the old Kmart parking lot overnight because they were tearing up the lot.

Patrick Lockett, of Topeka, said he first noticed semis parking in the lot when Kmart, 1740 S.W. Wanamaker, closed its doors in November 2017. He used to see several trucks parked there at a time, but now he doesn’t see as many. Molly Hadfield, city of Topeka media relations director, said the city does not have a code against semis parking in the lot. It is up to the property owners whether they want to let semis parking on their property.

Ann Marie Queen, spokeswoman for Equity Investment Group, said the parking lot is private property and the issue of semis parking in the lot was addressed when Kmart closed.

From a landlord’s perspective, semi-trucks parking on a lot can be problematic. They can do significant damage to the lot, Queen said.

“I was told by local police that I needed to order signs that said no overnight parking so we posted them at every entrance, Queen said. “Once that was posted, the police department could then enforce the overnight parking.”

Signs are posted around the parking lot on telephone poles.