Lawn parking could be banned in Bethel Park
Bethel Park residents who use their front lawns as driveways may soon be in violation of the law.
Municipal council is considering passing an ordinance that would prohibit residents from parking in grassy or open areas of their front yards. Council considered passing a similar law about three years ago, but tabled action to study the issue.
Council members said they have since received numerous complaints from people concerned that the practice makes residential neighborhoods look like junkyards.
“We need to do something. It seems like this problem is only getting worse,” Councilwoman Lorrie Gibbons said.
Council held a hearing June 26 on the proposed ordinance. It will consider passing the ordinance at its July 10 regular meeting.
If approved, residents will not be allowed to park in any area of their front yard that is not their driveway. The proposed law allows for a few exceptions, such as temporary parking for loading purposes or while the driveway is being resurfaced. Exceptions will also be given to those who live on certain narrow streets in Bethel Park and for those who do not have an existing driveway due to the constraints on their property. Residents who have driveways with steep slopes may also be exempted since it might be difficult to park in the driveway during snowy weather. Other residents with special circumstances can apply for a parking permit or a temporary special event permit through the municipal zoning office.
“A lot of people take great care to keep their properties presentable,” Pam Rawlings told council.
She added front lawn parking “is detrimental to property values.”
Rawlings’ mother noticed that front lawn parking was a problem in her neighborhood, so the women approached Councilman Jim McLean to try to find a solution. McLean said he was surprised to learn that Bethel Park was the only community in the area that did not have an ordinance to prohibit front lawn parking.
“With its common sense exceptions, I think this will be an ordinance that will be beneficial to the community,” McLean said.
Councilman Don Harrison expressed reservations about the proposed ordinance. By forbidding people from parking in their yards, council may prompt residents to simply park on the street, which may create new problems with traffic and other issues, he said.
The ordinance would be a modification to the municipality’s zoning code, so the planning and zoning commission reviewed the proposed ordinance earlier this year. The panel recommended that council pass the ordinance with some changes that may have further restricted parking. However, council rejected those proposed changes.
In another matter, council discussed participating in Allegheny County’s Vacant Property Recovery Program as a way to find buyers of abandoned properties who will reuse the land and return it to the tax rolls.