Niles council: Ban parking on lawns, yards

January 5, 2012 at 12:03a.m.

NILES

City council wants to stop residents from parking on lawns and yards in residentially zoned areas.

An ordinance introduced Wednesday would declare the practice a misdemeanor with court-imposed fines of $25 per each day the violation continues.

The purpose is “to avoid the deteriorating and blighting influence on nearby properties” and “to stop the negative effect upon [Niles] residential neighborhoods” according to language in the ordinance.

“These are people who have driveways, but rather than park there, they just put their cars on their lawns,” said Councilman Ed Stredney, D-3rd, the ordinance sponsor. “I have had several complaints about residents who just drive up on their lawns within 4 feet of their front door because they don’t feel like parking in a rear driveway.”

The ordinance also tightens restrictions on extending or widening driveways into lawns by requiring the use of asphalt or concrete for any driveway extension, which must be approved by the building and zoning inspector.

Council has scheduled a public hearing on the ordinance Feb. 15.

Meanwhile, Ryan McNaughton, a Niles resident, asked council if it has had any discussions about well drilling and its suspected connection to 11 earthquakes in recent months. He suggested that the city follow the lead of Youngstown Mayor Charles Sammarone, who is seeking a moratorium on injection wells in Youngstown.

“The state controls the drilling, and we’re waiting to see what the state is going to do,” said Law Director Terry Dull.

McNaughton said he was aware of the boost to the economy that drilling might bring, but urged council to be cautious.

“We should be careful before we hitch our wagon to a runaway train,” said McNaughton. “We need to be proactive.”