By DAVE HAMRICK

Staff Writer

Some Fayetteville businesses are facing hardship because of the city's prohibition of temporary trailers, says Rusty Walker, owner of Fayetteville Carpet Sales Inc.

In the past, businesses were allowed to park truck trailers on their property as long as they screened the trailers off with fences, but the city did away with that provision.

"A lot of businesses need these things at different times, and as long as they are done in good taste and it's kept clean and neat around them, I think they should be allowed," Walker told the City Council during a recent work session.

City engineer Don Easterbrook has written up some rough ideas for discussion, and council will take up the matter again at tonight's work session, 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Businesses use the trailers for temporary purposes that vary from business to business, said Walker. Plant nurseries, for instance, often sell pine straw directly off the trailer to avoid damaging the bales by unloading them.

If a city ordinance can be written so that the trailers are inspected, and the inspection is paid for through a permitting process, Walker said, "then the city can control how they're done."

"All I'm asking is try to find a middle ground to help the businesses," he said.

Easterbrook said he is recommending that if the city wants to allow the trailers, there should be provisions for screening them from public view, and the trailers shouldn't be allowed to use up required parking spaces.

"If council wants to allow them, we should treat them the way we do dumpsters" and other accessory structures, said Easterbrook. Annual permits should be required, and the trailers should be included in site plans for businesses. About 20-30 businesses in the city are affected by the prohibition, he said.