SUBJECT:
Title
An Ordinance of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Erie Amending Section 508 of the 2020 Model Traffic Code by the Modification of Section 6-11-1.C. of the Erie Municipal Code, Regarding Gross Weight of Vehicles
Body
DEPARTMENT: Legislative
PRESENTER: Town Prosecutor, Kristin N. Brown
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve the Ordinance
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
The attached ordinance revises Section 508 of the Model Traffic Code, 2020 Edition, previously adopted by the town. The Model Traffic Code serves as the traffic code for Erie. Section 508 relates to the weight of vehicles. Several years ago the Board of Trustees enacted provisions establishing a maximum gross weight of vehicles at 26,000 pounds. Specific exceptions were included: emergency vehicles, motor homes, recreational vehicles and vehicles involved in “the immediate process of delivering or picking up materials or merchandise, providing services, or for reaching the final business destination in the Town.”
An issue that has arisen, related to the last noted exception above, where very oversize trucks (construction vehicles and others) are driving through residential neighborhoods to reach a site destination in town, creating unnecessary traffic, noise, and wear and tear of streets in residential areas. The Police Department has fielded complaints regarding such traffic. In these cases, a more direct route is available, but for various reasons the drivers have elected to drive through a neighborhood to reach their destination for delivery, to provide services, etc.
With the language added to exception (II)(A), a driver is required to travel the most direct route to their destination, avoiding unnecessary travel through residential neighborhoods when possible.
Board Priority(s) Addressed:
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Effective Governance
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance 16-2021