Utilities and Streets committee proposes code edits to address invisible fences, public ways and pedestrian obstructions

Councilwoman Durichko, chairing the Utilities and Streets Committee, told the Parma Heights City Council during its Nov. 17 work session that the committee reviewed several code provisions to improve safety, consistency and enforceability. She said the changes include explicitly naming invisible fences in one section and clarifying language in others.

"In section 1193.01, we added the phrase 'including any invisible fence'," Councilwoman Durichko said. She added that Chapter 703.01 now includes the language "include but is not limited to" when describing a public way, and that 703.02(b) will include the phrase "and/or obstruct or impede pedestrian passage." Durichko also said Section 660.14 will clarify that invisible fences as defined in Chapter 618 are exempt from that section's prohibition, preserving consistency across the code.

Durichko said the edits were reviewed to support the city's priorities for safety, consistency and proper enforcement and that the 1193.01 change will be referred to the Planning Commission for appropriate review. She thanked the Law Department, specifically Director Schneider and Megan Tabar, for their guidance. The work session transcript records the committee report and referral but does not show final council action on the proposed amendments.

Next steps recorded in the work session are referral of the 1193.01 amendment to the Planning Commission and presentation of the committee's recommended edits to the full council in forthcoming legislation.