Starkville will soon put a new residential parking ordinance into effect after the change received approval from aldermen at last week's meeting.

Aldermen approved the ordinance after several rounds of public feedback. The approved ordinance is largely the same, with some minor differences, as the proposal that was introduced when the city began mulling the matter in late May.

City Community Development Director Buddy Sanders said the ordinance will take effect 30 days after Tuesday's meeting.

Changes

The new ordinance changes residential parking requirements to be set by the number of dwelling units, rather than square feet, as the current ordinance sets them.

"Square feet requirements are typical in many places," Sanders said. "However, just due to the nature of the population, it just doesn't work very well in a college town."

Under the current ordinance, residential units with up to 449 square feet are required to have 1.5 parking spaces; 450-749 square feet must have two parking spaces; 750-999 square feet must have 2.5 parking spaces; and 1,000-plus square feet must have three parking spaces.

Under the new ordinance, lots with one or two dwelling units must calculate parking at one parking space per bedroom. Lots with three or more dwelling units must calculate parking at 1.25 spaces per bedroom.

The new ordinance also includes restrictions against parking on front yards and separate restrictions for recreational vehicles, which includes boats, all-terrain vehicles, motor homes. It also includes restrictions for equipment, which includes temporary storage containers, utility trailers and construction dumpsters.

Recreational vehicles are allowed, however, on the side of the front yard on a hard surface, if they cannot be located in the side or rear yards, a garage, carport or enclosed building due to space limitations.

Reaction

Ward 5 Alderman Patrick Miller, who led the push for the new ordinance after receiving feedback from his constituents at a town hall meeting, said he was pleased to see it approved.

"I think it's going to be great for protecting our property owners in the city of Starkville," he said. "It's something that will increase property values and do a lot in the future to protect our neighborhoods."

City Planner Daniel Havelin said the new ordinance will go into effect with a one-year grace period, per a staff recommendation.

"During that period warnings would be issued with an explanation of how to come into compliance," Havelin said. "Also during that one-year period, the fee for applying for a variance for the parking ordinance would be waived."

Mayor Lynn Spruill said she was pleased overall with the change and the process the city took to implement it.

"I am hopeful that this will solve some of the problems we've see in our residential neighborhoods," she said. "I think the staff took a good approach toward making sure that it's not immediate in taking effect and we have a chance to educate people and getting them used to the concept and the idea of how to handle their vehicles and RVs."

Sanders said the community development department will look into ways to inform the public about the coming changes. He said that may include holding an information session or putting out press releases to detail the changes.

"I believe it's good public service to keep the public informed," he said.