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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Washington considers new vehicle parking ordinance
City law may limit trailers, motor homes and other vehicles parked in town, but revisions are pending
WASHINGTON — Washington residents might soon see new limits on the type of vehicles they can store close to home, as city council members weigh an ordinance amendment that would ban motor homes, motor sports recreational vehicles and commercial vehicles from parking in town.
The revision to chapter 50 of Washington’s municipal code would also set a cap of two trailers parked on a property at once, and require that all operable vehicles parked outside be kept on all-weather surfaces accessible from a street or driveway, even if they’re in a backyard or side yard.
The current code allows any number of vehicles and trailers to park on all-weather surfaces in side and backyards, but does not require those surfaces to connect with any access points. The current law also limits side and front yard parking to 24-hour periods, language which is not repeated in the new proposal.
The reform was sparked by residents who said a neighbors’ three trailers, parked in a yard but on an all-weather surface, had blocked their living room view.
“As long as they pour gravel out on this property, they could put any number of trailers or other things on this property. So that’s what we’re challenging here,” Bob Minick said. “The issue is not only with our little corner of the world, but it’s going to effect everybody in town. You might have a half-million dollar house, and if your neighbor chooses to put these three trailers or something similar on their property, right next to your property, they can do it.”
Debate at the meeting on Feb. 20 ended with the amendment getting tabled, however, as council members said they wanted to see language specifying a size limit for residents’ trailers.
Council Member Patrick Morgan pitched the idea of such a cap. He said he favored the ordinance overall, but wanted it to have “more structure.”
“If we’re going to say two, we ought to be specific about the language … based on the vehicles that are going to be going in there,” Morgan said. “I could put as much gravel or as much cement in there as I want, if I’m only parking two.”
Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com
