Semi tractor-trailers, RVs and other vehicles that do not carry passengers will no longer be allowed to park on city streets.
At their last City Council meeting, Yelm councilors unanimously approved several ordinance changes to Yelm’s Municipal Code, including amendments restricting parking on the street.
City of Yelm building official Chris Vaccaro said the proposed change to the city code regarding stopping, standing and parking will restrict parking on the street.
“Basically, we’re seeing a lot of RVs, trailers with motorcycles, boats — all kinds of things parked on the street. It’s creating a traffic obstruction and an unnecessary hazard in neighborhoods for pedestrians, children at play,” Vaccaro said. “We would just like to update this code to reflect that parking is intended for passenger vehicles, not semi tractor-trailers or some of these other things we see.”
Councilor Brian Hess asked Vaccaro if the restrictions for those types of vehicles are strictly within city limits, to which the building official answered yes.
The full code can be found online at https://tinyurl.com/mr3svuwj and on pages six and seven. It states, “on-street parking shall be reserved for the parking of cars, pick-up trucks and SUVs within the city limits of Yelm. Recreational vehicles, boats, off-road vehicles, trailers, or commercial vehicles as defined by Yelm Municipal Code shall not be parked on streets or on public right of way within the city limits of Yelm for any amount of time.”
The City Council next unanimously approved an ordinance code update addressing sprinkler requirements at adult care facilities.
Vaccaro said that Yelm’s Municipal Code lacks language that addresses sprinkler requirements for residential units that are converted into adult care facilities.
“We have one in town. It’s a single-family residence that became an eight-bedroom facility. These tend to be smaller bedrooms, 10 foot by 7 foot,” Vaccaro said. “We’re talking about a vulnerable population of people that may be physically disabled, mentally disabled.”
He said requiring a National Fire Protection Association-approved automatic fire sprinkler system would better protect the residents and within the adult care facility, as well as first responders.
According to Washington state law, single-family residences and duplexes are not required to have sprinklers.
He added that the city already requires any commercial development greater than 5,000 square feet, have more than 100 occupants, or an exit discharge that isn’t “at grade” to have a sprinkler system.
Hess asked Vaccaro if child care facilities have the same requirements as adult care facilities.
“There’s also a square footage that trips that, as well as an occupant load. If you have so many children, you have to have that,” Vaccaro said. “I guess an in-home daycare would be very similar, except you’re not creating these small rooms that children will be in. It’s more of an open area.”
These standards match the National Fire Protection Agency regulations, Vaccaro said.
