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Newton City Council is reviewing an ordinance that changes outdoor parking and vehicle and trailer storage on residential properties. The city first introduced the ordinance in March and encountered apprehension from some council members who felt it was a burden on working-class residents.
According to city documents, the City of Newton recognizes that landowners work for a company that allows them to bring a company vehicle home; however, large utility vehicles or equipment in residential areas “have negative and negative effects” on the quality and character of neighborhoods.
The city’s planning and zoning commission discussed the ordinance and voted in favor. The commission also recommended that the city explore alternative parking for semi-trailers and trailers, which are the vehicles and equipment that are expected to be most affected by the ordinance.
The council voted 4-2 to pass the first reading of the ordinance. Two more readings must be approved before the adoption of the amended ordinance.
If the ordinance is passed, dump trucks, construction machinery, semi-trailers, semi-tractors, semi-tractor-trailer combinations and unregistered utility vehicles would be prohibited from parking or storage in public areas. residential areas.
Trailers for road transport of liquids, gas, livestock, fuel, refrigerated food, materials, vehicles, construction equipment or other products or materials will also be prohibited, as well as trailers used mainly for storage.
The city argues that storing these vehicles obstructs views of streets and private property, creates congested and otherwise unsightly areas, prevents full use of residential streets for parking, impairs traffic flow and decreases enjoyment. by occupants near their property and neighborhood.
Storing or parking these vehicles also negatively affects property values and neighborhood models, according to city documents. The revisions to the order also include the refinement of the definition of a trailer and the deletion of the definition of a fifth-wheel trailer.
City Councilor Evelyn George attended the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting and said a truck driver said the city’s street conditions could not support the load of the semi-tractors. City Councilor Mark Hallam doesn’t want to see semi-tractors parked in the streets but he still has reservations.
“It comes back to the issue of private property, for me,” he said. “And I still believe that a worker or a woman who drives a truck for a living should be allowed to park their tractor-trailer on their own property. We talked about about 72 hours at one point.
As long as it is on a hard surface, Hallam cannot see how this negatively affects the curb appeal. City Councilor Craig Trotter agreed, saying they are no different from big campers. City Councilor Randy Ervin echoed what Trotter and Hallam said and agreed that there are some things in the ordinance that should be addressed.
“Unfortunately, in my opinion, semi-tractors shouldn’t be included in this,” Ervin said, adding that he takes offense at the city calling the trucks pest and rot.
Ervin proposed that council remove wording regarding semi-tractors and suggested that they cannot stay in one place for more than 72 hours in a seven-day period and should not be left running. Ervin made his request a motion, which was carried by 4-2.
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