CITY OF PICKERINGTON

CITIZEN’S TASK FORCE FOR PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2005

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

6:30 P.M.

1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Smith called the meeting to order with roll call as follows: Mr. Barletta, Mr. King, Ms Trout, Mr. Smith, Ms Goodrich, Ms Carter, Mr. Sells, Dr. Henry, and Mr. Bowen were present. Mr. Walburn was absent. Others present were: Lance Schultz, Lynda Yartin, George Parsley, and Officer Plank.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF January 6, 2005, Regular Meeting. Ms Trout moved to approve; Ms Goodrich seconded the motion. There being no discussion Dr. Henry, Mr. Barletta, Mr. King, Mr. Bowen, Ms Carter, Ms Goodrich, Ms Trout, Mr. Sells, and Mr. Smith voted “Aye.” Motion passed, 9-0.

Mr. Smith stated since Officer Plank is present, if there were no objections, he would move to the review of on street parking so he can answer any questions the task force may have. Mr. Smith stated everyone had received the draft prepared by Ms Carter that included the changes as a result of the discussion at the last meeting. Mr. Smith explained to Officer Plank that what the task force was considering was that all commercial vehicles parking in residential areas would be of a height no greater than a full size extended van, and the length would be no greater than a super duty pick-up truck, with the maximum measurements spelled out. He stated they were trying to prevent big vans and work trucks from parking in neighborhoods. Mr. Smith clarified the problem the police encounter most frequently would be something like the box trucks parking on the street. Officer Plank stated currently there is nothing that limits this type of vehicle from parking in residential neighborhoods. Ms Carter ascertained it would be easier for the police department to enforce if the ordinance referred to measurements rather than weight. Officer Plank stated all police vehicles carry the tape measure for use in vehicle accidents, etc. Mr. Smith stated perhaps the task force could consider limiting parking in residential neighborhoods to one side of the street only, say the side with mailboxes. Ms Carter stated that would not work as several neighborhoods have mailboxes on both sides of the street. Ms Trout stated her concern with parking on both sides of the street would be that an emergency vehicle may not have enough room to get down a street. Several task members stated they did not feel restricting parking to one side of the street would work in all neighborhoods. Mr. Barletta stated there are requirements for the distance you can park from an intersection, and Mr. Schultz clarified our code limits parking within 30 feet of a stop sign. If there is no stop sign, we do not have a limit. Officer Plank stated from the police officer’s viewpoint, it would be a good idea to prohibit the larger vehicles from parking on the street. Mr. King stated by using the term commercial, there are some pick up trucks that have commercial license plates, and that would prohibit them from parking in their neighborhood. Ms Carter stated perhaps the word commercial could be removed and only refer to “all vehicles.” She continued the listing of the measurements would then cover all vehicles. Mr. Smith stated his concerns with on street parking were emergency vehicle access, visibility for safety reasons, and convenience. Mr. Schultz stated he would like to consult our law director on what is allowed on public streets with regard to emergency vehicles, school busses, two way traffic, and the like, and see if such modifications can be made. Mr. Smith stated he would continue this on the agenda until Mr. Schultz had received this information from the law director.

3. SCHEDULED MATTERS.

A. Review of draft home business recommendations by Task Force members. Mr. Smith stated all the task force members had received a draft of the proposed home occupation requirements based on the discussion at the last meeting. Mr. Schultz stated our Code defines a home occupation, not a business, and he felt we needed to be consistent. Mr. Schultz stated he felt this was a very good start on what we wanted to do. The task force determined they would like the definition to read: “The intent of the Home Occupation provisions are to establish home occupation standards within residential districts.” Ms Carter moved to approve the home occupation revisions, with the inclusion of the definition just stated; Ms Trout seconded the motion. Mr. Sells, Mr. Smith, Dr. Henry, Ms Goodrich, Mr. King, Mr. Bowen, Mr. Barletta, Ms Carter, and Ms Trout voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 9-0.

B. Review of draft off street parking recommendations by Task Force members. Ms Carter stated she had provided a draft reflecting the discussion at the last meeting. She stated with regard to the permit for trailers, did that permit expire. Ms Trout stated she still felt there should be a distinction between “parking” and “storage.” Mr. Parsley stated the permit is issued for one year at a time, and must be renewed annually. Dr. Henry stated he questioned if we wanted to tell someone they could not park their personal vehicle in their driveway because it was too big. Ms Carter stated that was why she included the measurements. Mr. Smith stated he was concerned on what tact was taken to regulate what was parked in their own driveways. Ms Carter stated there was no difference between parking an RV and a monster truck in your driveway if you went by measurements only. Mr. Smith stated as he understood it, the recommendation of this Task Force would be a vehicle such as a small box truck, could not be parked in a driveway and could not be parked in the driveway. Ms Goodrich stated the small box truck could be parked in the driveway if they get a permit. Ms Trout clarified that if there are complaints, etc., then that permit would probably not be renewed. Mr. Parsley stated the Chief of Police issues the permits, and he must have some criteria he uses before the permit is issued. Mr. Smith stated he would like to have Mr. Schultz check with the Chief and let this Task Force know what criteria is used to issue a parking permit.

C. House Maintenance Standards. Mr. Smith stated he would like to discuss this issue at the next meeting. Mr. Bowen stated he would have something for review at the next meeting.

Mr. Smith stated he had one item he would like to bring up before the meeting adjourned. He stated there may be times when he is unable to attend the Task Force meeting, and he felt it would be appropriate to have a Vice Chairman. Mr. Smith stated he had spoken to Mr. Bowen, and he has agreed to fill that position if everyone concurs. Mr. Barletta moved to appoint Mr. Patrick Bowen as Vice Chairman to the Task Force; Ms Trout seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, Ms Trout, Mr. Sells, Dr. Henry, Mr. Bowen, Ms Goodrich, Ms Carter, Mr. Barletta, Mr. King, and Mr. Smith voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 9-0.

4. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Ms Goodrich moved to adjourn; Ms Carter seconded the motion. Ms Trout, Ms Carter, Mr. Barletta, Mr. Bowen, Mr. King, Ms Goodrich, Dr. Henry, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Sells voted “Aye.” Motion passed, 9-0. The Property Maintenance Task Force adjourned at 8:25 P.M., February 3, 2005.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

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Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk