Coplay Borough Council is taking a second look at one of its proposed parking ordinances.

At council's April 7 workshop meeting, council discussed the proposed ordinance.

Part of the proposed law reads, "Parking of vehicles is prohibited from all front yards, side yards and rear yards except on approved driveways and parking areas."

Councilman Charlie Sodl specifically asked how the proposed ordinance might affect a homeowner who owns an RV with current registration and inspection tags and parks the vehicle in the backyard.

Borough code and zoning enforcement officer Ron Helman said residents are generally permitted to store items in their backyards "within" reason.

According to Helman, some residents have begun parking vehicles in their backyards, with and without current registration and inspection tags.

"[The proposed ordinance is] more addressed to scattered vehicles across the property," he said, such as junked and abandoned vehicles.

The ordinance will address approved parking areas, along with setbacks.

Councilman Bill Leiner Jr. asked if the ordinance covers residents who want to park their vehicles in their backyards.

Helman told Leiner the ordinance would preclude such parking.

"I ain't going to go for that," Leiner said.

Sodl argued the draft ordinance needs to be more specific before council proceeds with it.

"The way it is written, we're just overboard here," he said. "I just have a hard time with government telling people what to do and what not to do."

Leiner said the ordinance must be written in a clear and concise manner, allowing for legal enforcement.

"If you want to go after junked vehicles, the law has to be written specifically and clearly that it can be enforced by you guys," he said.

Councilman Steve Burker, in a Facebook message to The Press after the meeting, called for greater enforcement.

"We need to make fines larger where it gets their attention that we will not tolerate those who will park their vehicles, creating an eyesore and a junkyard atmosphere," he said.

Helman reinforced all borough laws are enforced in a reasonable manner.

"I know you can say we'll be reasonable, but that's not the law," Leiner responded.

The borough instead should concentrate on unclaimed vehicles first, Sodl stressed.

"I think we should firmly attack the abandoned vehicles," he said. "It's an eyesore; it's a safety issue."

In other business, resident Rick Bundra announced he has taken over as president of the Coplay Athletic Club.

He expressed his willingness to develop a good relationship with council.

"I'd like to work with all of council to resolve the issues that we have," he said.