Council members voted last night to table a parking ordinance that prohibits residents from parking vehicles on the grass in front and side yards. Vehicles can still be parked on grass in rear yard areas, or parallel to a driveway if parked on a hard surface like brick or cobblestones.
At the first reading of the ordinance, there was opposition from some residents. More opposition appeared Tuesday, prompting the delay. Councilman Chopper Davis wondered if the city was being “heavy handed.” The Suncoast News reported that residents called the plan “blue collar racism.”
New Port Richey officials said that the existing code did not cover the parking of vehicles on front lawns, and removed language that would have banned the parking of RVs and boats in front yards as well. Councilman Jeff Starkey and Councilwoman Judy deBella Thomas both expressed their intention to vote for the measure, but relented to pressure from their colleagues to look more carefully at the ordinance.
The City has been struggling with poor home values and a large number of code violations. The City has undertaken an aggressive campaign of demolitions for blighted neighborhoods, and has sought to combat a high percentage of rental properties in city limits.
This is a good move. They should have left the language to ban long-term RV and boat parking in front yards too.
Looks like code enforcement will have some work to do anyhow.
DOT850 make a good point, and would find a lot of support in the East Madison neighborhood.
An informal (non-scientific) poll of residents in the East Madison neighborhood revealed near universal opposition to the proposed ordinance — and more than a little surprise that it had even received a second reading. Poll included folks who have been impacted by the proposed ordinance and those who would not.
Good work by the City Council on this!
Dell deChant