Proposed Fairbury Parking Ordinance On Hold

By Gordon HopkinsConsideration of a parking ordinance is on hold as Fairbury Mayor Spencer Brown reviews the matter. That ordinance would require an “improved surface driveway” or “improved surface parking pad” for parking a motor vehicle in residential areas of Fairbury.As originally written, the ordinance states, in part, “No motor vehicle shall be parked or stored in the front yard of any lot zoned residential except on an improved surface driveway.”Similar provisions are made for side and back yards, requiring an “improved surface parking pad.”The ordinance defines an “improved surface” as a hard surface area maintained with materials, including, but not limited to, concrete, pavement, asphalt, brick, or gravel, sufficient to prevent mud, dust, or loose debris. A similar ordinance was recently passed in Omaha, which would have made it illegal to park a vehicle on lawns. It would have been enforced at homes, residential areas, business areas, industrial areas and violators could have be fined up to $50. The original fine proposed was $500 but that was voted down by the Omaha City Council.Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, however, vetoed the ordinance. The Omaha ordinance made exceptions for holidays. Strothert said, “Criminal laws should not have immunity days.”Stothert objected to other exceptions as well, “I will not support an ordinance that does not include all vehicles.” Mayor Brown pulled the Fairbury ordinance from consideration while he reviews the Omaha proposal as well as regulations in other cities.The mayor explained his reasons for his support of the ordinance via email, “A. Properties that are damaging public sidewalks and roads directly affect the community, not just that owner. B. Depending on the condition of the property it can drive down values of neighboring properties.”However, the mayor also acknowledged opposition to the proposal, “The 2 (two) largest opposing questions I get are 1. Limited income, or fixed income owners, where will they get the money to lay down rock? 2. It’s my property, I can do what I want. The answers I have right now are 1. MAYBE we can look into a grant SIMILAR to what we have on the sidewalks to help alleviate some of the cost. Which I need to stress is just an idea at this point.”

Commissioners Not Happy About Pipelines In County Right-Of-Way

Should Flood Buyout Properties Be Taxed?

Related Articles

Start Your Engines! JayHusker Races Return Saturday Night

Weather Service Releases Tornado Report

Nebraska Groundwater Levels Continue Decline After Prolonged Drought

May Shower Doesn’t Dampen Community Support or Appetites