Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 18, 1991 TAG: 9104180451
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
But the planners decided parking also should be allowed in side yards after most members present indicated they liked the concept behind the suggested change, but found the language too restrictive.
The commission is reviewing proposed changes to the zoning ordinance, which has not undergone a major revision since 1982.
A draft zoning document written by a Richmond consultant suggested that Radford ban recreational vehicles from being parked or stored "in any required front yard, street side yard or side yard" in conservation or residential districts.
The ban would include motor homes, camping trailers, boats and boat trailers.
"I believe this would go to court," said James Graham. "There's a lot of people in the city who this would really affect."
"We can fill up this whole building on just that one change," said John Giesen, commission chairman.
Coleman Brittle, planning director, said Blacksburg has a similar ordinance - and a Blacksburg resident came to Radford to buy a lot to store his recreational vehicle.
The proposed ban is designed to discourage the parking of vehicles in the front of houses or on streets and leaving them for extended periods of time, Brittle said.
Parking tractor-trailers in residential districts also was discussed by the planning board.
The draft of the new ordinance proposes banning trucks or commercial vehicles weighing more than 5,000 pounds from being parked or stored in a residential or conservation district unless they are kept in enclosed buildings. The ban would not include loading and unloading needs or commercial vehicles that are delivering a service.
The commission appeared to agree that independent truckers should be able to park the truck cab or tractor of their rigs at their homes, but not the trailers - particularly when they are loaded.
Residential streets are not built to withstand the increased pressure that loaded trailers create when parked or driven on a road, Brittle said.
The commission did not decide that issue Tuesday. Brittle wanted time to review the proposed change further and determine whether the 5,000-pound limit was too restrictive.
The Planning Commission will continue reviewing the zoning ordinance Monday at 7 p.m, when it considers parking and sign requirements.
Once the review is complete, the document will be rewritten. The commission then will hold a public hearing, make any necessary changes and send the ordinance to City Council for action.
by CNB