Glenarden council pauses enforcement of new truck-parking ordinance for three months

Glenarden City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 24 to pause enforcement of Ordinance 004-2025 — a recent rule restricting vans and pickup trucks from parking on public streets — for three months while the council reconsiders specific provisions and improves public notice.

The vote followed more than two hours of public comment during a public hearing that centered on a flyer mailed to residents stating that “all vans and pickup trucks, regardless of their use or purpose, including personal use, must be parked in the owner’s driveway and are not permitted to park on city streets.” Many residents said they received the flyer after the ordinance took effect, found the language vague, and said enforcement would create hardship for long-term residents, households with multiple drivers, and people with limited driveway space.

Shree Rose, a Ward 1 resident, urged the council to hold enforcement and reconsider a grace period and grandfathering for long-term residents. “I am requesting hold enforcement until the law can be more clearly explained,” Rose said during public comment. Multiple other residents described relying on small pickup trucks for family transportation and expressed concern about safety, driveway access and wheelchair/handicap access if vehicles must be moved into driveways that cannot accommodate them.

Council members and staff described the ordinance’s origins as months of conversation and work sessions. Council President Curtis said the ordinance was not adopted “in a vacuum” and that hearings and work sessions had preceded the public hearing. Staff (Mr. Green) explained that the measure aligns certain elements with Prince George’s County and state guidance on commercial vehicles and equipment but that some requirements exceed county rules and therefore are subject to local review.

Council members noted conflicting constraints: residents who want to keep pickup trucks and SUVs on the street and others who say oversized vehicles or chains of work trucks are blocking sightlines, driveways and emergency access. Councilman Miguel described the effort as a compromise driven in part by Prince George’s County weight and vehicle rules (county guidance was discussed as 8,500 pounds for certain commercial classifications) and by state criteria that use a 10,000‑pound threshold. Several residents asked for clearer, street-level specifications such as prohibiting parking within a specified number of feet of intersections or corners.

Vice President Ferguson moved to second the motion to pause enforcement, and the council agreed by unanimous voice vote; no roll-call opposition was recorded. The council directed staff to use the pause to review the ordinance language, consider targeted exceptions (for handicap or constrained driveways), and prepare improved outreach. Council members said they will notify residents at least 30 days before any new enforcement date and that if a revised policy is ready before three months, the council would give 30 days’ notice before re-starting enforcement.

Council President Curtis told residents who had already received tickets to contact Mr. Green so staff could review those cases individually.

The pause goes into effect immediately and will last three months, providing time for staff to draft amendments and a clearer public-notice plan, and for the council to receive further public input.