Vernon introduces trail parking ordinance

VERNON — The Vernon Township Council on Monday night advanced an ordinance that would allow parking by permit only on residential streets near the Appalachian Trail boardwalk on County Route 517.
Under Ordinance 17-07, permits would be required for vehicles parked on eight residential roads near the trail. Included in the measure are Carol Drive, Old Glenwood Circle, Meadowlark Drive, Cove Court, Vliestra Drive, Thistle Avenue, Ivy Place, and Ann Place. The latter was not included in the draft ordinance, but the Council added it as a pre-emptive measure at the suggestion of Council President Jean Murphy on Monday.
In lieu of parking on the residential streets included in the ordinance, trail visitors will be permitted to park on the northbound shoulder of Route 517 between Meadowlark Drive and Carol Drive, and the southbound shoulder of Route 517 north of Carol Drive.
Vernon Township Police Chief Randy Mills said the streets in the ordinance were chosen based on a series of weekly written reports detailing parking conditions in the area around the Appalachian Trail attraction.
“The attorney’s logic was we’re doing this based on known issues,” Mills said.
Residents who live in the affected areas will be eligible to receive a permit for either themselves or guests to park on the aforementioned roads. Permits will be valid for a term of one year from issuance and will be issued only to homeowners or tenants living within the restricted area who present proof of residency. Permits will need to be displayed in the windshield of the vehicle parked on the road so it can easily be observed by police inspecting the area for violations.
The measure comes as Vernon Township officials look to provide relief for residents who have faced a swarm of trail tourists parking in front of their houses and creating “congested and unsafe” conditions on local roads.
The ordinance will come up for a public hearing before final approval on May 22.
Budget adoptedThe Township Council on Monday also adopted a revised $24.52 million budget that calls for $16.24 million to be raised through taxes. The plan will raise taxes by $2.26 per month, compared to an increase of $4.06 per month projected for the original version of the budget.