Council tweaks parking regulations

DOWNTOWN TOLEDO - Toledo's city council amended its parking fine regulations after several people received tickets for parking in their own unpaved driveways.

The fines put the Glass City front and center in the national and international spotlight.

"It doesn't leave a very good impression to people we want to come into this community, and I think the harassment as to stop," said Councilman George Sarantou.

The new law won't give Toledo citizens free reign on where to park, but it's designed to clean up some of the existing laws.

One of the first changes grandfathers homes into the driveway regulations. If your part of town was annexed into the city and you didn't have a paved driveway then, you don't have to have a paved driveway now. It's one items put into place to hopefully make sure people aren't getting surprise tickets and fines.

Whether it was a parking ticket for parking on the unpaved driveway, or a nuisance ticket for the same thing, members of council want to put the brakes on this process.

"I think we have some over aggressive people when it comes to judgment," said Councilwoman Betty Shultz.

The ordinance not only talks about grand-fathering unpaved driveways, but allows one that get clearance from the zoning appeals board.

"I'm not saying you can't have a gravel driveway, but I do resent people throwing gravel next to the driveway and then getting on TV and saying Yes I did it, but I have a right to do this," said Councilwoman Wilma Brown. "They don't have a right to do this."

"A responsible approach to what we've been experiencing as irresponsible activity," said Councilman D. Michael Collins, who described the response to these fines.

Some council members would rather see inspectors looking for neglected properties.

"This is what the inspectors ought to be doing, not going after people in the South end and that district that have lived there are trying to make a living. Obey the law," Sarantou said.

Mayor Carty Finkbeiner said Tuesday evening that city laws will be enforced, and he views this whole thing as a political move.

"I want you to hear ticked off people in the neighborhood organization that work daily to keep front lawns, side lawns and backyards cleaned up," the mayor said.

"It doesn't give anyone who wishes to use their front yard for a parking lot a license to do it," Collins added.

Another exception to the rule, for example, would be Habitat for Humanity. The organization's home build site driveways are not paved, but homes that that are considered exceptions.