Tractor-trailer parking at issue

City wants to impose limits, fines

Commercial truck operators could face new time limits for parking in Lorain.

The city administration has proposed new two-hour limits for buses, agricultural tractors, tractor-trailers, school buses and the like.

Lorain City Council will take up the legislation in committee when the members return from their August recess.

The legislation was on the Council’s agenda for July 29.

Mayor Joe Koziura hoped for a quick passage, but was stymied when Council voted for a committee hearing.

“With all our problems with junk cars everywhere, our biggest problem to date lately has been semis parking everywhere in the city,” Koziura said.

He gave examples of the trucks parking at houses in neighborhoods, the former Westgate plaza and elsewhere around Lorain.

“We call the company up, we complain, the drivers just move on down the street,” Koziura said. “This will really tighten it up.”

“With all our problems with junk cars everywhere, our biggest problem to date lately has been semis parking everywhere in the city.”

— Lorain Mayor Joe Koziura

Along with a time limit, there would be escalating fines of $250, then $500, for repeat violators. Threetime violators would be towed.

“The old fines were relatively mild

… so I mean business,” Koziura said.

He also argued a committee hearing would not do any better for the legislation.

Councilwoman- at-Large Mary Springowski proposed the committee discussion and remained firm, stating she had concerns about the verbiage of the new city rules.

Council split on its vote.

Springowski, Councilwomen Pamela Carter and Beth Henley, and Councilmen Dennis Flores, Mitch Fallis and Tony Dimacchia voted in favor of committee.

Councilwoman JoAnne Moon and Councilmen Greg Argenti, Joshua Thornsberry and Angel Arroyo Jr. voted against the motion to send it to committee.

RICHARD PAYERCHIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL A tractor-trailer sits parked for unloading at Family Dollar, 2325W. 21st St., Lorain, on Aug. 8. Lorain’s city administration wants new rules limiting commercial truck parking around the city and stiffer fines for violators.