Trucking residents of a Florida neighborhood at the center of a truck parking drama say that the whole case is still a “convoluted mess” nearly a year after the enforcement officially started.  

The enforcement of a truck parking ban that was technically always in place, but never actually implemented, in The Acreage neighborhood in Palm Beach County, Florida, began in July 2024. Truckers living there for the last 20 years say that the change has made residing in the neighborhood too costly and nearly impossible. 

In response to the newly enforced ordinance, two resident truckers, Jorge Alfaro of Prestwich Drive and Clare Dougal of Tangerine Blvd filed a lawsuit alleging that the county had engaged in the “taking” of their property rights by enforcing the ordinance and disrupting their way of life. 

“We helped to build this community — the schools, the parks, the supermarkets — now they say they don’t want us,” Dougal said.

The “convoluted mess” started on May 22nd, 2025 Judge Robert Oftedal, sitting in for Judge Maxine Cheesman during an absence, ruled that the lawsuit  “presented no competent evidence of financial loss, diminution in property value or impairment of vested property rights.” On June 1st, Judge Cheesman returned to her position and ruled that the lawsuit should proceed to trial to determine whether or not there was “taking” of property by the county. On June 6th, Christopher Mills, the Attorney representing the two resident truckers filed a motion for a rehearing based on the conflicting judge rulings, reported the Town-Crier.

“It’s very difficult to manage the emotions of your clients when you have conflicting rulings like this,” Mills said. “I sympathize with their confusion and frustration, considering the procedural quagmire we’re in. I’ve never seen anything like this in my career.”

Natalia Melian-Torres, a resident trucker who has acted as the spokesperson for the “Save Our Truckers” movement against the truck parking enforcement, says that the judges are “acting unprofessionally” and “playing with people’s livelihoods.”

Melian also says that her house is up for sale and she will be moving her family to an area with more affordable commercial truck parking. “They’ve pushed me against the wall,” Melian said. “I have to do what’s best for my family. I have kids. I have to look to the future.”

Palm Beach County Attorney Denise Coffman says that, officially, the case had reached “a very successful conclusion at this point” but predicted more court proceedings and appeal based on Mills’ rehearing request. “It’s a bit of a convoluted mess,” she said.