by Amanda Harnocz
Reporter
Tallmadge -- The city is trying to regulate where inoperable historic or collector vehicles can be parked around Tallmadge as City Council reviews legislation which would deem certain vehicles a public nuisance.
Public nuisance vehicles are unlicensed or inoperable historic and collector vehicles, 20 years or older, that are in the public view, according to Mayor Christopher Grimm.
Council is expected to vote on the inoperable vehicle ordinance Feb. 11. The ordinance is also being reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Committee this month.
Grimm said there are about three or four vehicle owners who will be receiving notifications about cars being parked in their back yards and driveways if the legislation is passed.
"When I drive to work every day I see one [a vehicle] that has green mold on the side of it," Grimm said. "We're basically saying if you do have a historical vehicle, then you at least have to conceal it from your neighbors ... you can't plop it out in the middle of the back yard adjacent to their home. You do have to conceal the vehicle somehow and maintain it."
Council Vice President Linda Poinar called the inoperable cars parked in public and private lots around the city "a problem."
Law Director Penny Taylor said the rules will be enforced by the Tallmadge Police Department. The offense is a minor misdemeanor and has a maximum fine of $150.
The ordinance would cover both residential and commercial/retail properties, said Grimm, adding that covering a vehicle with a tarp is not acceptable.
Historic or collector vehicles stored in a garage or facility, at a licensed service facility or concealed by a building, fence, vegetation (like trees and bushes) do not fall under the rules being proposed, according to the legislation.
The next City Council meeting is Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 46 North Ave.
E-mail: aharnocz@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3911