PRESENTER: Presenter
Christopher J. Looney, Planning & Development Services Director and
Bryan V. Ruiz Neighborhood Services Manager
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SUBJECT: Title
Presentation and possible direction to amend the City’s Code of Ordinances to address the parking of oversized vehicles in the right-of-way in residential areas
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DEPARTMENT: Planning & Development Services Department and Police Department
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
New Braunfels currently has an adopted ordinance that disallows the parking of oversized commercial motor vehicles on any public street where abutting residentially zoned property. This alternatively allows the vehicles to park on a street where the abutting property is zoned commercial or industrial. This rule was intended to protect the integrity, character, and tranquility of residential areas. In 2019, a similar partner ordinance was passed that disallowed these same types of vehicles from being parked on private property within residential areas. Other cities in Texas have similar ordinances.
ISSUE:
While the intent of the current ordinance was to protect residences, it does not take into account homes that exist in commercial or industrial zoning districts, or when property across the street from homes might be zoned commercial or industrial. Concerns have been brought up by residents regarding the parking of oversized commercial motor vehicles in these circumstances. The subject section of code being tied to zoning still allows the parking of oversized commercial motor vehicles in close proximity to residences in certain areas, resulting in negative impacts on those homes.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Some options include removing the zoning element to the code requirement, limiting the on-street parking of such vehicles to only abutting the subject business establishment, and/or establishing time limitations.