Anne Arundel County (Map, News) - Finding a parking space is not the biggest obstacle for Ronald Howard, who is in a wheelchair; rather, it is finding the right-sized space.

“There are people who park in the van-accessible spaces when they don’t need the extra access,” said the Linthicum resident, who drives a van. “That forces me to take up two handicapped parking spaces because of the selfishness of others.”

Howard testified before the Anne Arundel County Council recently about his plight — cars parking in the handicapped spaces designed for vans. Howard said he needs the extra space for his wheelchair lift.

But the American Association for Disabled People said such an issue is a new one for them.

“This is the first time we’ve heard of that kind of problem,” said Mariana Nork, the association’s vice president of communications. “But it does make a ton of sense.”

Howard’s story has at least touched the council, which in addition to raising the fine for handicapped parking violators from $100 to $500, will look into ways of enforcing van-accessible parking allotments.

Council Chairman Ronald Dillon, R-District 3, and Councilwoman Cathy Vitale, R-District 5, said this week that they want to see the rules reviewed.

Pam Jordan, the county’s Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, said she also is looking into the issue.

But the county may have a tough time.

“There is no consistency in terms of enforcement, space allotment and rules nationwide,” Nork said.

She said she could not think of a jurisdiction that enforces van-accessible handicapped parking spaces.

As for the parking fine, Nork said the county’s new fee — which is expected to generate $140,000 — is one of the highest she has seen.

jflanagan@baltimoreexaminer.com