Rules won't change soon for parking work vehicles at home

Sentiment among members of a citizens advisory panel was not to change Carson City's rules for commercial vehicles parked in residential areas.

Planning Commission members heard from several residents about a request by local plumber Greg Petersen, of Petersen Plumbing Services, for an increase in the permitted size of commercial vehicles that can be parked in residential areas.

"I don't want to look at an advertisement," said Gloria Levy, who also said big business vehicles would spoil her view of the neighborhood and bring down property values.

Another neighbor, Pat DeGross, had allowed Petersen to park a work vehicle on his lot in the past and said there's "an advantage" to having a plumber and any other tradespeople living nearby when you need something fixed.

"We should help small-business owners," he said.

City code now allows for panel vans to be parked in many residential areas if the vans don't exceed 7 feet high, 20 feet long and 9,500 pounds.

Petersen wanted to be able to park a business-related panel van on his property that's a little bigger - specifically something 10 feet high, 24 feet long and weighing 11,000 pounds.

He now rents space to park his van at night but would like to keep it on his property to speed up his response to emergency service calls and not have to pay for the shop space.

"I believe our neighborhood was zoned residential for a reason," contended Barbara Eiche.

Petersen works from home and said he believes that there is a need to loosen up the rules for the sake of the community's small-business owners.

The business vehicles wouldn't be permitted to be left on the street but in driveways, for example.

"These are smaller than RVs." Petersen said. "There's a lot of RVs on the sides of homes."

Industry average for recreational vehicles appears to be 8 feet wide and 13 feet tall. Length varies greatly, however, and these vehicles can extend an average of 23 feet to 35 feet and weigh at least five tons - 10,000 pounds, said Jeff Cowan, a salesperson at the Carson RV Superstore.

The type of vehicle Petersen was thinking about is a Dodge Sprinter, which is being purchased for business and personal uses.

While the issue may come again, the commissioners decided against considering a change in the current rules.

"I applaud you for bringing this in to us," Commissioner Mark Kimbrough said to Petersen. "That's what we're here for."

The commissioners make some decisions independent of the Board of Supervisors but in other instances simply advise the board.

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