Archives > The Colony Courier-Leader > News
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
City addresses vehicles parked on grass
By Blaine Crimmins, bcrimmins@starlocalnews.com
In an ongoing effort to bring city's ordinances in line with beautification efforts, The Colony City Council is considering updating regulations for vehicles parked around residential homes.
At the request of Council member Jeff Connelly, the council discussed the issue at its work session last week.
"I think it's important for the appearance and beautification of our city that we don't have vehicles parked on grass in front yards," he said. "I just don't think that's the vision I have for the city as far as image goes."
"The purpose of having the hard surface [requirement] is to keep oils and such from going into the soils and into the runoffs, which eventually goes down into the lake," Connelly added.
Community Image Manager Iris Browder provided an update on where enforcement currently stands and what options are available.
"Right now we only enforce vehicles parked in the front yard. We do not enforce vehicles parked in the back yard or side yard," she said.
Reading from the Recreational Vehicle and Travel Trailer section of the Code of Ordinances, "vehicles shall be parked on a permanent, hard surface area which shall consist of concrete, asphalt, brick or comparable surface," Browder said. "That's pretty vague."
Browder asked if the council wished to further define what comprises a "hard surface;" whether or not to include boats, jet skis, and work trailers in the ordinance; and whether or not a hard surface should be required for vehicles screened by a back-yard fence.
"For me, and other council members, none of us are very interested in stepping on our toes and peeking into back fences," Connelly said.
As for side yards, Mayor Joe McCourry said current regulations regarding weeds and grass might already provide an avenue for enforcement.
"When they do park on the grass like that, normally if they're not moved on a regular basis the grass grows and we get them on a [weeds-and-grass] violation," he said. "As long as they're not getting into a violation with the other rules and we're controlling that, I don't know that I would say [add side yards to the ordinance]."
Council member Allen Harris thought otherwise, saying that vehicles parked on the side of a home can still sink into the mud, cause issues with drainage, and possibly attract rodents.
Council member David Terre took the hardest line on the issue.
"My perception would be to eliminate any vehicle in the front or side yards as visible from the street. If you build a fence high enough in the back yard, that's OK," he said.
Regarding the definition of a hard surface, McCourry sought to add pressure granite to the list of acceptable surfaces.
The council also instructed staff to include boats, jet skis, and work trailers.
"Basically, if it's on wheels, then it needs to be on a hard surface," Assistant City Manager Tim Miller said, seeking clarification from the council.
City staff members will bring the item back to the city council at a future meeting.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
