MiddletownJournal.com

TRENTON — Trenton City Council passed an ordinance Thursday, Dec. 4, prohibiting the parking of certain kinds of vehicles in residential or commercial districts.

The ordinance covers "trucks, trailers, semi-trailers, commercial vehicles, recreational vehicles, boats, construction equipment or storage containers."

Before the meeting, Trenton Police Chief Carl Ray said he felt the ordinance would cover all bases and give the police department more teeth for parking enforcement.

The ordinance makes it unlawful to park any such vehicle in any street, right of way or alley way in residential or commercial districts. A recreational vehicle includes boats or boat trailers, a folding or pop-up trailer, a motor home, a pickup camper or travel trailer, according to the city.

Loading or unloading of any such vehicles is permitted for a period not to exceed 24 hours.

A violation of the ordinance would be classified as a minor misdemeanor.

"We've had a lot of complaints about trailers, large vehicles and things parking on the roadway," Ray said, adding that such vehicles can be hard to see at night.

There have been numerous complaints about construction equipment — such as trailers — that haul other vehicles. Asked how many complaints there were, Ray said, "Easily a hundred, over the year."

All council members present approved the ordinance. Councilwomen Melissa Hobbs and Sandra McDonell were absent.

City Manager John Jones said in a prior work session the idea of the ordinance is not to pick on the casual person who is parking and unloading, but to stop parking abuses.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.