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Commercial Vehicle Report February 3, 2014 Page 2 The (Nuisance Code underwent a rewrite in 2002, and as a result, two specific references regarding commercial vehicles were added for clarification purposes. The first amendment redefined a commercial vehicle to be any vehicle bearing a weight classification greater than "E". Prior to the amendment, if the license plate exhibited ANY weight classification, it was considered commercial. The second revision added a reference to vehicles with more than one rear axle. Craig Swalchick, Mounds View's Code Enforcement & Housing Inspector, collected photos of commercial vehicles for the Council's information, each with the vehicles corresponding license plate weight designation, for reference. These are attached at the end of the report. Mr. Swalchick also inquired with our neighboring communities to ascertain how others deal with this issue. He writes: When I made contact with the neighboring communities, I found that most were allowing vehicles of 9,000-12,000 lbs --up through a Class "F" designation. The City of Roseville had the most restrictive requirements, allowing only four wheels on a vehicle and nothing more, prohibiting "dually" pick-up trucks and multi -rear axle vehicles. The City of Coon Rapids allows one vehicle over 9,000 lbs GVW to be parked in a residential zone. This was to allow for semi drivers and owner/ operators to park their trucks at their home as long as the parking of that semi was in compliance with all other vehicle ordinances. The cities of Spring Lake Park, Arden Hills and Fridley all allow up to a 12,000 lbs truck to be parked on the property. New Brighton based its restrictions on length and types of activities at the home for which the commercial vehicle was parked. While it is understandable to want to work with a resident who has a commercial vehicle parked at home, changing the Code to be more permissive opens the door to any and all vehicles bearing the same weight classification. To address this, the Council could elect to allow one (1) commercial vehicle bearing a weight designation of "F" or "G" by annual permit, subject to the vehicle not causing, creating or becoming a nuisance or eyesore. The problem with such a provision however, is, who determines what would constitute a nuisance? For purposes of enforcement, City Codes function better with explicit, unambiguous language. Another problem is that vehicles with similar weight classifications are not necessarily similar in appearance. Some may look more like vehicles one would expect to find in a residential district while others may take on more of an industrial or heavy duty appearance. Many commercial vehicles also double as de facto mobile billboards, either advertising the owners' business or another business that paid to be on the side of the vehicle. Is the City Council comfortable introducing such additional signage within the neighborhoods? The last point, which has been made by residents whenever the issue is addressed by the City Council, is that owners often leave diesel -engine trucks running all night long. Would this be a permitted practice?