The Crestwood Board of Aldermen postponed an ordinance introducing restrictions on commercial vehicles March 8 after discussing parts of the old city code.

The proposed ordinance put restrictions on large commercial vehicles and smaller commercial vehicles when parking in residential zones. Aldermen felt the wording was too strict and vague in February, postponing it until March.

Ward 3 Alderman Scott Shipley kicked off the discussion by presenting research on old city code regarding commercial vehicles. Shipley noted several restrictions he found in the code, including limits on lettering and overnight parking. The code that was last updated in 2021 restricts overnight parking on everything but passenger vehicles, recreational vehicles and one light delivery commercial vehicle.

“If we add additional language to this other part of our code that is in our proposed ordinance, and anything conflicts, then which of those is going to prevail?” Shipley asked. “If our existing code doesn’t convey what we need, maybe we should be modifying that existing code instead of creating new code.”

Shipley said he would vote no on the current proposed ordinance, and Ward 4 Alderman Tony Kennedy agreed he could not support the lighter vehicle side of the new ordinance. 

Kennedy said the wording defines and restricts “basically every vehicle in the world” that is not a commercial or light delivery vehicle. He said the wording needs to focus on addressing nuisances through more easily measurable means. 

Ward 2 Alderman Justin Charboneau said the wording would prove “burdensome” for staff to enforce and the wording is too strict on some larger non-commercial vehicles.

“Some larger vehicles are used by families now as their everyday vehicle, whether it is for commercial purpose or not,” Charboneau said. 

He said he would like to see additional research towards a more easily enforceable restriction.

Mayor Grant Mabie said the goal is to create an ordinance where violations “jump out at the average resident as being inappropriate.” 

The board voted to postpone the ordinance to allow the city attorney to bring a revised version back before the board.