The Mercer Island City Council will continue to receive input from citizens on a proposed ordinance to restrict parking along much of East Mercer Way, West Mercer Way and North Mercer Way.

The hearing will take place at 7 p.m., March 5, in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 9611 S.E. 36th Street.

The ordinance is designed to protect cyclists and pedestrians by prohibiting parking from dawn to dusk for much of the roadway that circles the Island. There will be exceptions.

The city has paved seven miles of new shoulder along the Mercer Ways and wants to ensure that those portions of the road, along with other stretches, remain open.

The leaders of the effort are Councilmembers Dan Grausz and Mike Grady.

According to information from the city, the Mercer Island City Council established the Roadside Shoulder Development Program to provide paved shoulders to increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists along the Mercer Ways.

The ordinance proposes that the city will install “No Parking on Pavement Dawn to Dusk” signs along East Mercer Way, West Mercer Way and portions of North Mercer Way in those places where improved, paved shoulders have been built. The restrictions will prohibit anyone from parking vehicles on the paved shoulders during daylight hours. Exceptions for snow and ice, special events and construction activities are addressed.

The new parking restrictions would go into effect 30 days after approval by the City Council and notification of the approval is given to the public. The police department will allow a two-week grace period for residents to adjust to the parking restriction. Enforcement of new parking restrictions would begin May 1.