Council asked to consider allowing handicap-placard holders to apply for reserved curb parking

Councilman Barrett told fellow council members on July 10 that residents who rely on state handicap placards face difficulty obtaining reserved curb parking because the current city ordinance requires a disabled license plate. Barrett asked the council to consider amending the ordinance to allow placard holders to apply for a reserved parking permit with the placard number recorded. Barrett said the change would mirror policies in other Pennsylvania cities and argued it would help residents who are mobility-impaired but do not want a license plate on their vehicle. He told the council he would “put this in writing to all of you, that we amend that ordinance to allow persons with a valid handicap parking placard to apply for a permit, a reserved parking space in front of their home just as the people with the plate do.” No ordinance change was made at the meeting. Barrett asked the city attorney to examine legal and procedural requirements; he requested the attorney report back. City staff and members of the public offered procedural guidance for residents: a public commenter, Alan Rosenbaum, was directed to the tax office and to an office that processes plate applications to begin the existing process during the meeting. Council did not schedule a formal public hearing or set language for an ordinance amendment at this meeting; the item was presented as a request for staff and legal review.