Amendment #8 – Parking of Commercial Vehicles

by Sy Wrenn, Alternate Planning Board Member

In an effort to educate the public on the zoning ordinance amendments that are being recommended by the Planning Board for 2012 Town Meeting, a series of articles will be published leading up to Town Meeting on March 13^th. Each article will provide a summary of one or more zoning amendments being proposed.

History: (What is the current status?) Currently a commercial vehicle with a 6,000 GVW (gross vehicle weight) with two axels is allowed to be parked outdoors overnight at a residence in the following districts only: Residence A, B, C.

Why: (Is this being proposed?) Allow the outdoor parking of one two axel commercial vehicle in all residential districts and increase the gross vehicle weight to reflect the capacities of today’s pick-up trucks and vans. This will allow those working men and women who utilize a truck or van as part of their employment to be legally parked overnight at their residence.

Effect: (If this is passed by the voters) A new Section 704.2.7 will be added to the Zoning Ordinance which will state “At a property whose primary use is residential, there may be the outdoor, overnight parking of one registered and inspected commercial vehicle used by someone living at the property. This commercial vehicle must be less than 12,000 GVW and have no more than two axles.”