TO:                  Mayor William F. Martin, Jr.

                                    And

                        Members of the Lowell City Council

FROM:            Bernard F. Lynch, City Manager

DATE:            June 18, 2007

In response of the above-mentioned request, Bob Camacho has forwarded to me the information listed below.  Please be advised of the following:

UNREGISTERED VEHICLES

• Currently Zoning Ordinance allows no unregistered vehicles on private property at all.  Also no repairs of vehicles allowed on private property.
• When found unregistered vehicle is posted with notice, followed by certified mail stating vehicle must be removed and/or registered.
• Previous Building Commissioner would allow vehicle to be covered with regulation car cover and stored on private property.
• Zoning Ordinance states that penalty is $300. Per day per vehicle.  In order to enforce, currently court action is required.
• Currently, we have no ability to have vehicles removed from private property – only Fire Department can if they feel that vehicle is a potential fire hazard – mostly be being parked too close to building not allowing fireman to pass.
• 90 to 95% of the complaints that come in on unregistered vehicles are for a single vehicle.
• 5-10% are for multiple vehicles.

ALTERNATIVES

• Allow one unregistered vehicle to be stored on private property once permit is secured (fee$$$)
• Vehicle covered??
• Vehicle on paved area or on grass???
• Difference between unregistered vehicle and junk vehicle --?? Could be subjective

PROS

• Generate revenue for City of Lowell to cover the cost of generating a permit
• Allow residents to keep vehicle stored for future use (student – child just obtaining license etc.)
• Allow summer/winter vehicles

CONS

• Problems in tight neighborhoods (one car driveway that housed registered vehicle now housing unregistered vehicle making owner park the registered vehicle on street causing more congestion in neighborhoods like back central
• Unsightly vehicles parked all over private property throughout the City.
• Who/how to determine difference between an area that can handle a vehicle parked in yard or driveway without a problem and an area that housing a vehicle in yard or driveway that causes ripple effect on whole street.

“Fees” in general have two functions:

            1). Pays for the cost of generating the permit and for “tracking” compliance

                and maintenance of those records

            2). The permit itself is also a way to “Enforce” various ordinances or

                codes.

I hope this information was helpful.  If you have any questions, pleas do not hesitate to contact me.  Thank you.