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© Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited |
By Khaleda Rahman For Dailymail.com
An Oregon town is cracking down on drivers who illegally park near 'The Goonies' house by issuing steep fines.
The property in Astoria has long been a draw to tourists hoping for a glimpse of the house featured in the 1985 movie.
The city already has posted signs saying 'No Stopping,' and 'No Parking' in the area with only a moderate level of compliance, authorities say.
But after years of problems, the Astoria City Council hopes a harsher penalty will put a stop to parking and traffic issues near the house in Uppertown, The Daily Astorian reports.
The council held a first reading of an ordinance Monday to modify city code and enhance the fees people will have to pay if they violate parking rules in the neighborhood.
Under the proposal, people parking illegally could face a $100 fine.
City councilors will hold a second reading and officially could adopt the ordinance at a November meeting.
Police Chief Geoff Spalding said he doesn't plan to change the signs already posted by the house – but proposes the addition of another that says' 'Enhanced Fine Zone - $100 Fine.'
Sandi Preston bought the house in 2001 because The Goonies was her favorite childhood movie.
Initially, she had welcomed nostalgic visitors coming to have a look at the house – which the adventurous kids in the film are determined to save from demolition.
But she covered it with a blue tarp in 2015 after being sent over the edge by disrespectful fans who left trash and didn't clean up after pets.
Parking problems reached their height that year when the town celebrated the film's 30th anniversary.
After thousands of visitors almost every day that summer, Preston placed a sign outside the property warning people to stay away.
'Imagine that you buy a house, fix it up, spend money, time and love. Then the city of Astoria encourages 100,000s of people to come and stand in front and view it,' it said.
'This driveway (maintained by homeowners) sees 1,000+ people every day. Most are kind, fun and welcome, but many are not.'
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