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Lawn Parking
Ordinance Tabled, Public Comments Taken Into Consideration
by Beth S. Biermann
EAST GREENWICH – The Township Committee tabled an
ordinance at their regular meeting on Oct. 13 that would regulate the parking
of cars on residents’ lawns. An updated ordinance may be re-introduced at a
later date, followed by the required second reading and public hearing.
According to Township Solicitor Timothy Chell, the
original ordinance, introduced on Sept. 8 needs to be “tightened up”. Chell
and Police Chief Barry Jenkins reviewed the ordinance and agreed that changes
needed to be made, including a specific definition of a front lawn.
Mayor Fred Grant stated that the committee should still
hold the public hearing on the ordinance in order to have input on the changes
that will be made. He also stated that the ordinance was developed as a way to
make it easier for the police department to do their jobs.
He added that in some developments with small driveways,
cars parked on lawns and sidewalks have resulted in safety hazards and made it
more difficult for police patrols to “do what they need to do”.
The initial ordinance stated that a resident convicted in
Municipal Court of violating the ordinance by parking on or allowing someone
else to park on their lawn could pay a fine between $50 and $500.
Residents brought up several concerns about the
ordinance, including making sure that it has a clear definition of “vehicle”
and whether watercraft and trailers would be considered a vehicle.
Many comments were made regarding the amount of the fine
and the consensus among the residents present was that $500 seemed too much.
Chell reminded them that the ordinance suggests a range from $50 to $500. He
also stated that the amount of the fine would be determined by a judge on a
case-by-case basis, with the higher level fines most likely reserved for
repeat offenders.
Many residents were also concerned about situations in
which parking on their lawn was necessary, including parties, handicapped
residents needing to get close to their entrance, and equipment such as tree
trimmers. Chell ensured residents that discretion and “common sense” will be
used by the enforcement officer in determining what circumstances will warrant
a violation.
Finally, several residents requested that the ordinance
specify lot sizes, as smaller lots with neighbors in close proximity would be
more affected by parking on lawns. Larger lots with more space between
neighbors may not cause the same amount of disturbance or hazard.
The Committee also tabled an amendment to a yard sale
ordinance that was adopted on Aug. 11. The amendment would remove the
requirement to include the resident’s name and phone number on advertising
signs and in the newspaper.
A public hearing on the amendment drew comments and
concern about two other parts of the original yard sale ordinance. Residents
wanted the start time of yard sales to be made an hour earlier, 7 a.m. instead
of 8 a.m. They also wanted clear language explaining that if a yard sale was
rained out, that permit would not count toward the two yard sale limit per
year.
The Committee voted to table the amendment and
reintroduce it after including the earlier start time of 7 a.m. and an
explanation of rain-out date exceptions to the yard sale frequency limits.
In other business, the committee adopted an ordinance
terminating the paper street known as Buckingham Ct., part of the Kings Gate
South development located on Kings Highway between Tomlin Station Rd. and the
Woolwich Township line. The developer will not be building any homes on the
planned six lots located on the dead-end cul-de-sac, due to the current
economic down-turn.
According to Grant, the land will become permanent open
space, with the county contributing 75 percent of the purchase price and the
Township paying for the remaining 25 percent. The Township’s share will total
$117,000 and will be paid through the open space tax.
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