GIRARDVILLE - The borough council adopted an ordinance Thursday regulating parking near driveways and garages.
The ordinance (2013-1) addresses complaints from residents about vehicles being parked in front of garages and driveways, problems that were not part of an older parking ordinance.
The ordinance states in its summary that it prohibits "the parking of vehicles on the streets of Girardville in a location which obstructs vehicles from entering a public road from, or exiting a public road to, a driveway or private garage without the consent of the owner or occupier thereof; and establishing penalties for violations."
At previous meetings this year when the proposed ordinance was being discussed by council members, mayor and public, it was originally planned to restrict all parking in front of driveways and garages, even if the vehicle was that of the property owner. The idea was that a police officer would not know whose vehicle it was, so it would become an overall restriction for all vehicles and all would be subject to be ticketed.
However, the ordinance will be enforced when police or mayor receive a complaint by the owner/occupier of the property that a vehicle is parked without their consent.
If there is a violation, a ticket with a $25 fine will be issued. If not paid within 15 days, an action may be filed with the magisterial district judge as a summary offense, and upon conviction, the violator will pay a fine of not less than $50 and no more than $300. Each day the vehicle is parked illegally will be considered a separate violation.
The ordinance was adopted unanimously.