Franklin keeps 90 day moratorium on RV ordinance

FRANKLIN — After initially being struck down by a 5 to 1 majority in November, the Franklin Borough Council again opened discussion on changes to an ordinance on the storage and parking of recreational and commercial vehicles.

The 3 to 3 vote did not meet the legal standards to pass and the council then voted to extend the moratorium for an additional 90 days.

According to Attorney John Ursin, “A 4 to 2 majority is required to pass.”

In this case, the 50/50 split left the changes rejected and open for further discussion after a three month stay.

Opposition to change
The changes to the current regulations place specific requirements for the weight of the vehicles and specific measurements for how they are to be stored on the property. To this point, many citizens feel that the use of their property is being restricted and therefore are opposed to the new changes.

“This is how we work and how we play,” commented Sean Kidd. “(This ordinance) is taking more money out of our pockets, on many streets in this town you’re taking 50 feet off of someone’s property where they can park.”

Council Member Mark Zschack felt that the changes were meant to be less restrictive.

“It is my understanding that this ordinance is easing restrictions on the current ordinance," said Zschack. "I backed this because it was less restrictive.”

However, community residents voiced concerns over the changes and felt that they were more restrictive than the previous regulations.

“This is not what the people want,” added Dawn Inglis. “People are exiting this town and now you want to limit what we can drive. I say vote no.”

Betty Allen agreed with those statements.

“I feel it’s unfair," Allen said. "It’s been this way a long time.”

After the vote failed to pass, Council Member Nick Giordano called to extend the moratorium for 90 days.

The ordinance will once again be up for another vote at a future date.