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Council postpones several handicap‑parking ordinances, requests proof applicants cannot use driveways
Summary
The City of Orange Township council postponed multiple handicap‑parking ordinances on Dec. 3 after council members said required certifications that applicants lack driveway access were not on file; the council asked DPW and the engineer to verify documentation before the items return.
The City of Orange Township Council on Dec. 3 postponed several ordinances that would create or designate restricted handicap‑parking spaces after members said the municipal code requires applicants to certify they cannot use a driveway and those certifications were not available.
Council members raised the issue during second‑reading consideration of multiple items. “I went to the code book… it says each applicant for a restricted parking zone in front of his or her residence shall certify on a form provided by the Department of Public Works that he or she has no driveway or garage accessible for use as a parking space,” said Council Member Hilbert, urging the council to require the documentation before approving more spaces.
Council President W and other members said they have seen a rising number of restricted‑parking approvals and that the engineering and DPW recommendations must be rechecked. Council members noted the potential for blocks to accumulate many handicap spaces if the code’s certification requirement is not enforced, and suggested setting a policy limit for the number of reserved spaces per block.
On the council agenda were, among others, ordinances listed in the meeting as: - Ordinance 43224 (amend Chapter 200; handicap parking, 614 Argal Avenue) — postponed by unanimous roll call. - Ordinance 50‑22‑24 (amend Chapter 200; handicap parking, 471 Hillside Avenue) — postponed by unanimous roll call. - Ordinance 51‑224 (amend Chapter 200; handicap parking, 477 Hillside Avenue) — postponed by unanimous roll call. - Ordinance 52224 (amend Chapter 200; handicap parking, 26 North Jefferson Street) — postponed by unanimous roll call.
Each item was delayed so administration can confirm whether applicants submitted the code‑required certification or, where appropriate, whether a multi‑tenant dwelling or driveway easement justifies an exception. Business Administrator Chris Harwi said the Department of Public Works and the city engineer had been making recommendations and that the council could refer back if documentation is missing.
Council members also discussed instituting a periodic recertification process for existing handicap spaces; one councilmember said some spaces remained assigned to deceased residents and suggested an annual or biennial review to ensure eligibility.
Next steps: the administration will request DPW and the engineer verify certifications or provide the underlying surveys/deeds. The ordinances will return to the council once the documentation is provided or the council decides on a policy change.
Outcome: All second‑reading handicap‑parking ordinances on the Dec. 3 agenda were postponed pending verification.
