Resident Needs Handicapped Parking Spot Due to Neighbors' Trucks, Council Told

After it was explained that the motivation for a resident's handicapped parking space request involves a situation involving neighbors, Coopersburg Borough Council members held off on approving the request, which was discussed at a recent meeting.

Council vice president Dennis Balascak began the discussion by explaining that the request for the space was made to borough manager Tim Paashaus.

The location for the proposed space is on the west side of South Second Street, just north of Station Avenue.

Councilman Richard Nalichowski said the woman who made the request cannot walk any distance, and is being affected by a lack of on-street parking near her home.

"The people across the street have about a dozen trucks. At least that’s what she said. A lot of times she can’t get into her own house, because of their trucks in the way," Nalichowski said.

He later said he was told that when the woman approached her neighbors about the parking situation, someone urinated on her property.

"She called the police, and they said they can’t do anything about it," Nalichowski said.

Paashaus told council the woman does have a permanent handicapped parking placard for her vehicle, which "was given to her for a disability."

The trucks owned by the other residents are all for personal use,  he said, adding, "I think they like 4x4 trucks."

Balascak said he would like to see the woman and her neighbors brought to a common table to discuss the matter, so some type of agreement can be reached without the need for the permanent designation of a handicapped parking space.

"I don’t want the borough government getting in between neighbors’ disputes, and I don’t want to set a precedent," he said. "The borough’s responsibility is the streets and the curbing and the parking."

Council voted unanimously to table the request until after a conversation takes place between the parties involved.