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Resident asks council to allow concrete parking pad in Howard Avenue right-of-way
Summary
A Swisher property owner asked permission to pour a 23-by-10-foot concrete pad in the city right-of-way to create private parking; council discussed city right-of-way rules, sidewalk and curb-and-gutter plans for Howard Avenue, precedent concerns, need for driveway thickening if crossed, and potential future liability or use by subsequent owners.
At the July 22 meeting a property owner, identifying himself as Dave Smith, asked the council for permission to place a 23-by-10-foot concrete pad in the city right-of-way adjacent to his barn for off-street parking. Smith said the pad would sit between the planned sidewalk and his fence and would be entirely on his property line or partially in the right-of-way, depending on final curb-and‑gutter alignment.
Council members and staff walked through an aerial and blueprint at the meeting and confirmed Howard Avenue is slated for curb, gutter and a sidewalk; staff said the road will be widened to about 31 feet to allow parallel on‑street parking. Staff advised that simple concrete does not require a building permit but noted that if a pad crosses the sidewalk it would need to be thickened to driveway standards to sustain vehicle loading.
Officials cautioned about setting a precedent for private improvements in city right-of-way. One councilor said allowing the pad could prompt other residents to request similar work on city property and raised concerns about long-term impacts when property ownership changes. "If we allow something like this the next project... you're going to have other residents... wanting us to pour pads on city property," a council member said.
Council discussed alternatives including coordinating with contractors during the street project so residents can pour concrete on private property where feasible. No formal approval was given at the meeting; staff offered to work with Smith and the contractor currently doing the street work to explore options and to ensure any crossing of the sidewalk would meet structural requirements.
