Piperton commissioners postpone vote on ordinance limiting vehicles on residential property after resident objections

The Piperton Board of Mayor and Commissioners postponed a vote on Ordinance No. 417‑26, a municipal code change that would limit the number of vehicles permitted to be stored or parked on residential property, after several residents urged changes and asked for clearer exemption rules.

Building Official Elizabeth Reed presented the ordinance during a public hearing, saying the proposal sets a maximum of four vehicles kept on residential property and lists exceptions including vehicles stored within an enclosed building, temporary parking for repairs or guests (up to 72 hours), child‑sized toy vehicles, multi‑unit residential properties and vehicles parked behind a sight‑proof fence on an all‑weather surface. Reed also said a household with more than four drivers may apply for a one‑year exemption that must be renewed annually and requires each driver to hold a valid Tennessee driver's license with the same address.

Several residents told the board the flat cap is too restrictive. Sandra Williams said she owns five insured, registered vehicles and asked whether she could seek an exemption; she stated, “I think I should be allowed to own as many cars as I want.” William (Billy) Meacham and Michael Hartwig questioned enforcement history, fairness and whether the town would require paved pads behind homes. Harry Hartwig noted in‑home businesses may require separate permits and emphasized that vehicles on a property must be licensed, registered and operable.

City Manager Steve Steinbach told the board the proposal was developed after reviewing other jurisdictions and emphasized the measure is not intended as a ‘‘gotcha’’ enforcement action; he noted staff added a lengthy effective date to allow broad notice and cited the new exemption pathway for households with multiple licensed drivers. Commissioner Joel Townsend said the ordinance’s intent is to prevent visible vehicle storage that affects neighbors — for example vehicles left in public view — and noted vehicles stored behind solid fences or inside enclosed structures would be acceptable under the draft language.

After the public comment period, Commissioner Townsend moved to postpone the second‑reading vote until the next meeting to allow staff and the board to consider different exemption thresholds and alternative wording; Commissioner Ronnie Gross seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

What’s next: The Board will revisit Ordinance No. 417‑26 at its next regular meeting. Staff indicated the ordinance text will be reviewed for alternative numeric thresholds, clearer exemption conditions and additional enforcement clarifications before the second reading.