By DAVE HAMRICK
Staff Writer

Fayetteville's Planning Commission wants to take one more look at a proposed new law banning the parking of tractor-trailer trucks in residential neighborhoods before City Council votes on it.

The ordinance was scheduled for a vote Monday, but council voted to delay the item until after commissioners discuss some minor changes during their meeting this coming Tuesday. The group meets at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Parking big rigs would be banned under the proposed law, but those already doing so would be allowed to continue under a “grandfather” clause. They would have to get city permits so the city would have a record of the grandfathered owner/operators.

During last week's Planning Commission work session, commissioner Allan Feldman said he is concerned that the law places no restrictions on those permitted to continue parking their trucks. “Why would you permit somebody and have no restrictions at all?” he said.

He suggested provisions be added to prohibit doing any repair work in the residential neighborhoods, other than “light maintenance,” but other commissioners said defining “light” and “heavy” maintenance might be problematic.

And Kevin Adams, an owner/operator who currently parks his semi cab at home, said the city really needn't worry about owners doing heavy repair work. “You need special equipment,” he said.

And besides, the rigs cost $100,000 or more. “They're not going to mess around with an investment like that. They're going to take it to a qualified mechanic and get it repaired,” he added.

Feldman said he at least wants to consider a restriction against parking the rigs on the grass, and possibly a better definition of what constitutes an owner/operator.

After the Planning Commission discusses proposed changes, the City Council can vote on the law at its Nov. 1 meeting, 7 p.m. at City Hall.