Given the verbiage you posted: "Within thirty (30) feet of, and upon the approach to" both circumstances would have to be met, and in your case, they weren't. I'd snap a photo with the car on the other side of the stop sign and bring it into court with you, just in case you need evidence. Of course, assuming the meter maid shows up, they're just going to testify you were within the 30ft (without having to provide evidence thereof)... and on the approach. 1) Read statute 2) Show photo 3) ???? 4) Profit by being not-guilty