The Mayor and Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance Monday that will prohibit 18-wheelers from parking in residential neighborhoods.
Ward 4 Alderman Aubry Brent Jr. expressed some reservations about the ordinance, stating that he fears it will be a burden on residents who drive trucks for a living.
Mayor Diane Delaware said the ordinance is necessary to protect city streets that are not designed to handle the weight of large trucks.
Delaware said the city has had rules in place regarding large trucks for a long time, including rules on which streets can be used by large trucks in the city, even if those rules haven’t been followed.
“There are some people who disobey those rules in our city, and unfortunately they’re tearing our roads up,” Delaware said.
Brent asked if the city would help truck drivers find a place to park their trucks.
“I’m not,” Delaware said, adding that perhaps someone should open a local business that provides a lot for 18-wheelers to legally park overnight.
“I just think that we as a board shouldn’t do anything that interferes with a person’s livelihood,” Brent said.
Delaware said that most cities have ordinances preventing 18-wheelers from parking in neighborhoods.
“This is what municipalities do,” Delaware said. “We must make sure that we take care of our roads. This is a common thing. It isn’t anything new or different than what other cities are doing.”
The new ordinance will take effect 30 days after publication.
