×

City to enact new rules on parking

FINAL READING PASSES — Ward 4 Councilman George Ash takes part in discussion during Monday’s Weirton Council meeting. Council passed the final reading of two ordinances Monday focused on placing interior furniture outdoors, as well as parking vehicles in the grass or unimproved areas of properties. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — Weirton Council will enact new regulations focused on those who park their vehicles in the grass, or other unimproved areas of their property, despite some councilmembers expressing their concerns during Monday’s meeting.

The ordinance, which will amend Articles 351 and 541 of the city code, was passed on second reading by a vote of 4-2. Those in favor were Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh, Ward 4 Councilman George Ash, Ward 5 Councilman Douglas Jackson and Ward 6 Councilman Enzo Fracasso. Those voting against were Ward 1 Councilman Tim Connell and Ward 7 Councilman Terry Weigel.

Ash noted he has been trying to get the issues addressed for more than 20 years.

Several councilmembers said they have been receiving calls from residents who have expressed concern over the ordinance.

Many of those concerns have centered on neighborhoods with narrow roads, or where little parking is available, either on the street or on private property.

“In some areas, where the roads are narrow, it may cause difficulties,” Fracasso said.

Fracasso noted Lindberg Way, in Ward 5, as such an area.

Weigel said requiring parking on narrow streets also will have an effect on the ability of snow and sanitation trucks, or emergency responders being able to get through the neighborhoods.

Jackson said he initially was unsure of some of the language of the ordinance, in particular with the word “unimproved.” He noted a high percentage of residents on Marland Heights are multi-car families, and not everyone has off-street parking.

“The language needs to address everyone’s concerns,” Jackson said.

Connell said one area of his ward, St. Johns Road, is affected because of old no-parking zones established while Weirton General Hospital was in operation.

“If they remove the yellow curbs, then residents can park on the street,” Connell said.

Ash explained the city’s Inspections Department has been working to put together policy to guide the enforcement of the new regulations, and council could revisit the issue in six months to see what is working and possibly make changes.

Marsh said any changes made during those reviews will then become part of the ordinance.

Chief Code Official Ken Fletcher said residents who aren’t able to park on the streets would have the option of improving an area of their property to create a new parking area.

He said the ordinance was crafted primarily as a way to address some problem areas of the city.

“It’s not out to get everybody,” Fletcher said.

A second ordinance, amending regulations concerning the placement of interior furniture and appliances outdoors, was passed 6-0.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today