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Facing opposition, New Port Richey council once again delays residential parking restrictions

 
Published June 4, 2015

NEW PORT RICHEY — Passing an ordinance that would deal with parking on lawns in residential areas continues to elude the New Port Richey City Council amid continued outcries from the public.

Two weeks after the council voted 4-1 to approve an ordinance that would ban parking cars and trucks on grass in front and side yards and mandate construction materials for driveways, a second reading of the ordinance ground to a halt Tuesday night as council members voted to table the item for further review of its impact.

It was the second time in five months the council has backed away from a proposed ordinance seeking to regulate parking in residential areas, which came from staff in response to council members' complaints about vehicles stacked up in front yards throughout the city.

In January, the council shot down a more sweeping proposal that would have also banned parking boats and trailers in front yards, which drew intense criticism from the public. After that rebuke, the city staff came back with an ordinance that left out regulations that would have covered watercraft, RVs and trailers, focusing only on cars and trucks.

But once again, opposition arose.

Some residents complained that the ordinance would create a hardship for families with multiple vehicles. Others feared the ordinance would drive people to park on the streets.

"How are we going to get through these skinny streets?" resident Denise Bruckler asked.

Some took exception to mandating the use of concrete, asphalt or pavers as the sole materials for primary driveways. Resident and local lawyer David Hook said the ordinance is less a parking ordinance and more of a "paving ordinance." If the city mandates certain materials, Hook said, it will likely unleash a landscape of black "ugly asphalt."

"People are going to look for the cheapest way out," he said.

While the majority of speakers were critical of the proposed ordinance, some spoke in favor of doing something to regulate parking in yards.

Realtor Chuck Grey advocated a measured approach, saying the city should be diligent in coming up with the right ordinance. But he added that unsightly parking of vehicles in yards does have a negative effect on luring new residents and businesses to the city.

"That's just the way it is," Grey said.

The public commentary resonated with the council.

Mayor Rob Marlowe said he wanted to add crushed rock to the list of materials that residents could use to build driveways. Deputy Mayor Bill Phillips said he wanted to take 60 days to review residents' concerns and possibly hold an informational forum to come up with a fair plan.

Council member Chopper Davis, who was the lone "no" vote during the first reading, maintained his stance that the city needs to look further at the impact of new regulations, and also make an effort to educate and interact with the public on any proposal.

"We need to look at it a little bit longer," Davis said.

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Council members Judy DeBella Thomas and Jeff Starkey both were ready to pass the ordinance Tuesday, but voted to table the item due to concerns expressed by their colleagues. But both called for a vote within 60 days.

Starkey challenged the sentiment that the ordinance would be too overbearing.

"I feel this is an extremely light ordinance," he said.