Parma Heights council debates size, weight limits for commercial vehicle parking in residential driveways

Parma Heights City Council members used a May 8 work session to continue a months-long review of draft language that would limit parking of commercial vehicles in residential driveways, generally agreeing small pickups are acceptable while very large trucks should be barred and asking staff to return with specific size, weight and setback language.

Council President Rounds opened the discussion by walking members through a slideshow of vehicle types and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) weight/class examples, saying Classes 1–3 ‘‘are fine’’ for residential driveways while Classes 6–8 ‘‘for sure’’ should not be permitted because of their size and neighborhood impact. Rounds said the council must pick clear, enforceable lines so inspectors can apply the rule uniformly.

The discussion turned to middle categories. Councilwoman DeSouza said she is comfortable allowing vehicles up to Class 2b and expressed concern about short driveways; Councilwoman Maruschak said she became hesitant around Class 5 and urged…