Latrobe considers restrictions on parking RVs on city streets

Residents’ complaints about recreational vehicles and trailers hogging on-street parking spaces prompted Latrobe Council to look at amending its parking regulations to prohibit the practice.

At its May 10 meeting, council is expected to consider an ordinance change that would keep such vehicles from taking up street parking except for limited times in particular circumstances.

City Manager Michael Gray proposed prohibiting parking of RVs, boats and unattached trailers on city streets except in specific situations. He said homeowners would be allowed to park RVs on the street in front of their property for up to 72 hours, for loading and unloading purposes, or for winterizing the vehicle or preparing it for a trip, if they provide advance notice to the city.

Also, out-of-town visitors arriving to spend time with a city resident could park an RV on the street for up to seven consecutive days, if they obtain and display a related city permit.

There would be a small administrative fee for the permit, Gray said. Penalties for violating the proposed new parking restrictions have yet to be determined.

Gray said he received about a half dozen complaints about RVs parking on streets. Under the current version of the ordinance, because the vehicles had current registration and were in a legal parking zone, the city could not intervene.

Earlier this month, council considered designating permit parking on a section of Gertrude Street, near the intersection of Ligonier Street, to assist residents whose vehicles were being crowded out by a camper. After some discussion, council tabled the move in the hope that the proposed ordinance amendment would address such situations throughout the city.

Gray said he would work with city Solicitor John Greiner to clarify a related prohibition against parking vehicles and equipment on the street for business purposes.

Gray suggested the ordinance language should prevent businesses, such as an auto repair garage, from using on-street spots for long-term parking of customers ’ vehicles.

But, Councilman Jim Kelley said, the ordinance should not prevent contractors from parking their vehicles on city streets for multiple days while they are completing work for an adjacent property owner.

“I don’t think we want to penalize somebody like that,” Kelley said.

Councilman Ralph Jenko pointed out that some residents who are assigned work trucks or vans by their employer also use them to commute to their job site and often park them on the street overnight and during holidays and weekends.

“I think if we look at the intent to try to preserve the streets for parking of vehicles that are used more or less on a daily basis, going to the grocery store or going to work, I think we’ll be OK,” said Kelley.

He noted vehicle owners will have the right to seek a variance from the ordinance if the regulations are causing them a hardship.

“I think we’re going to find that there will be some issues and problems we’ll have to deal with along the line,” he said of the proposed ordinance changes. “Still, we have to start somewhere.”