Senoia rule disallows school buses in residential district

A Senoia school bus driver has won a temporary reprieve from the City Council.

Jane Story approached council Monday night about a recent notice she was given that she was illegally parking her school bus overnight in her backyard.

City Administrator Richard Ferry said Senoia ordinances don’t allow school buses to be parked in a residential zoning district.

Story said she had an offer from Ellis Crook to park the bus at his grocery store, but she preferred to have it in her backyard for security purposes.

Story explained that she has to crank up the bus by 6 a.m. to make sure the engine will start. If it doesn’t, that gives the school system’s repair crew time to come over and get it going, she added.

The bus also has to be warmed up before the route begins for the students’ comfort, Story added.

Story said she has driven a bus for 22 years and she might be nearing retirement but in the meantime her yard is the most secure place for her schoolbus.

Council tabled any action on the matter to allow Ferry to consider some recommendations and so the city can solicit the opinion of Story’s neighbors.

That action allows Story to keep parking her bus in her backyard for the time being.