Commercial vehicle parking ban considered

City officials weighing whether to prohibit big trucks on private residences overnight

Kirtland leaders are considering curbing off-street parking of commercial vehicles in residential areas.

A draft ordinance amendment is to be reviewed by City Council’s Planning & Zoning Standing Committee on Dec. 18.

The proposed law, driven by citizen complaints, has been in the works for the past year. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended the change to council following public comment.

A draft of the ordinance defines commercial vehicles as those that:

• Have license plates with the designation of “truck” or “commercial,” provided that the capacity or payload is in excess of three-fourths of a ton

• Are not a passenger car as defined by the Ohio Revised Code

• Have attached scaffolding, ladders, plows, cranes, hooks, hoists, backhoes, dump bed or other tools or devices, and is being used for commercial purposes

Parking commercial vehicles on private property in residential districts would be subject to the following regulations:

• Only for performing associated commercial activities limited to the minimum time period required in the usual course of business for making such a delivery or completion of such services contracted for by the residence owner

• Only one commercial vehicle may be parked overnight per residence. Such vehicle must be parked on an improved surface … but not within the right of way

In addition, there would be no overnight outside parking permitted of the following vehicles: Tow trucks, dump trucks, flat beds, tractor/semi tractor trailer trucks, stake bed trucks, box trucks exceeding 96 inches in height, buses with a dual set of rear wheels, utility trailers used for commercial purposes, boats used for commercial purposes, those transporting flammable materials, or contractors’ equipment (tractors, front-end loaders, backhoes and other selfpropelled or towed equipment associated with commercial, construction or contractor-type activities).

With the exception of buses and tractor trailer trucks, these regulations wouldn’t apply to lots of 2 acres or more, so long as vehicles are parked behind the front edge of the home and screened so as not to be visible from the adjoining property.

The Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing in August and took additional public comments in September.

“Most, if not all, comments received at the meetings were not in favor of these restrictions,” council Clerk Denise Roelle said.

The ordinance was tabled by Council on Oct. 16, when the item was up for first reading and referred to committee. The committee initially reviewed the matter in November.

Former committee Chairman Kevin Eilerman said the challenge is to control the presence of large vehicles on residential property without adversely affecting residents who own larger trucks. He added that there is no consistent implementation of this type of law in other communities. Crafting enforceable language is another difficulty, he said.

The next committee meeting will take place following the 7 p.m. regular meeting on Dec. 18 at city hall, 9301 Chillicothe Road.