Local tradesman wants new rules for work vehicles

A Carson City businessman is seeking a change in local rules for commercial vehicles parked in residential areas.

The concept will be discussed during the planning commission meeting this afternoon. No decision about the proposal will be made during this meeting, however.

Greg Petersen, of Petersen Plumbing Services, wants to be able to park a work van on his property near C Hill. He responds to many customer calls from his home but has to keep his work van at a different location because city code dictates that he can't park there, he said.

"There are a lot of home-based businesses here in town, and a lot of people in the trades," Petersen said. "This has an impact on them."

It also affects residents who need these services because Petersen has to drive to his van, get it, then drive it to a customer's home or business. It doesn't just add time to the process, it also costs him money to pay for the added shop space because the van needs to be locked up so someone doesn't break in and steal his equipment.

And not all local tradespeople can even "afford to set up a shop offsite," he said. "This is why this battle isn't just for me."

City code now allows for panel vans to be parked in many residential areas if the vans are no more than 7 feet high, 20 feet long and 9,500 pounds and are on residential properties of at least one acre.

These vehicles wouldn't be permitted to be left on the street.

Petersen wants the ability to park a panel van on his property that's a little bigger - specifically something 10 feet high, 24 feet long and weighing 11,000 pounds.

This is the size of a large Dodge Sprinter, a popular work van. It's a vehicle not too different from many recreational vehicles, fifth wheels and motor homes, he said.

He also would like to see it allowed on smaller residential properties because "not everyone can afford to live on one acre."

"The population is growing and so is the demand for trade services," Petersen said. "I'm not planning to start a used car lot."

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

If you go

WHAT: Carson City Planning Commission meeting

When: 3:30 p.m. today

WHERE: Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.