At the Sept. 10 Struthers City Council meeting, residents pressed elected officials to stop a nearby lot from being used as parking for a commercial business, saying the activity has created noise, safety and quality-of-life problems in a residential block. Resident Tina Garment said she and about 43 other residents submitted a petition asking the city to “stop the commercial use of residential property” for the parcel identified as 38-018-0-146-0 and that they do not want “a parking lot on our street.”

The petition and public comments described repeated disturbances they attribute to people using the lot: car alarms and engine revving early in the morning, people loitering and sleeping in vehicles, trailers and trucks parked on grass and blocking sight lines, and employees congregating overnight. Neighbor Scott Kovacke, who said his property touches the lot, told council the lot is being used for business parking and that the owner originally intended commercial use.

Law Director John told the council that the property owner is currently in compliance with the city ordinance and that “the council would have to change the ordinance” if it wants to prohibit the current uses. Bill Minchin, the city’s code enforcement director, said the owner had been told by the seller that certain uses were permitted and that enforcement had allowed a limited time for the owner to remove trailers and equipment.

Council members and staff discussed possible next steps, including follow-up among the law director, code enforcement and administration to review whether the ordinance should be changed or enforced differently. No formal ordinance change or enforcement action was adopted at the meeting.

Residents were told they may pursue civil remedies if private property actions by neighbors damage their property; the law director and staff noted criminal or code violations could be pursued only where the conduct violates existing law or ordinance. Council members invited continued discussion with staff and the law director to consider whether code changes are warranted.

The issue arose during the public-comments portion of the meeting after communications and committee scheduling were presented. Council did not take a final vote on the matter during the session.