COLUMBIANA -A city resident is pushing to have recreational vehicles removed from properties within city limits.
Nora Salmen, North Main Street, submitted a letter to City Council on April 24 and it was read aloud by Mayor David Spatholt during this week's meeting.
She said several RVs are parked on residential properties throughout town.
"The owners of these vehicles are not 'good neighbors' because they are devaluing property and the atmosphere of the whole town. I do not want, nor would any council member want an RV parked beside or back of their property," she wrote.
She also said she spoke with Assistant Zoning Inspector Bob Belding prior to writing the letter and was told that there is no law to prohibit the vehicles from being parked in the city.
Along with the letter she enclosed two photographs of RVs parked on properties on North Main Street and Firestone Avenue.
"My suggestion is to get a law on the books to stop this practice," she said.
Spatholt said the suggestion will be forwarded to the planning commission for discussion.
Ron LaLonde, who serves on the planning commission, said he believes there is some sort of restrictions on RVs in the city but could not provide the exact law or code.
He requested Municipal Attorney Daniel Blasdell look into the matter.
In other business, Tourism Bureau board member Larry Dedrick provided council with an update on what the board is doing in the city.
He said the bureau has "taken on a broader role" and is in the process of obtaining a 501C(3) status to help raise funding. A new website has also been launched, www.tourcolumbianaohio.com.
He also said the nine-member board has hired a new employee and still has one vacancy.
The board is promoting 18 different events in Columbiana this year and four committees for major events were recently established. Committees are for Springtime in Columbiana, held this past weekend, the Festival of the Arts on Aug. 4, the Annual Wine Fest on Aug. 5, and the Joy of Christmas light show in Firestone Park.
He said 30 vendors have already signed up for the Festival of the Arts event that was re-introduced earlier this year.
"I don't know if all of you remember the days the tour buses came through Columbiana. They are coming back," he said.
He then requested council approve the use of the vacant lot next to Ryan's News to display birdhouses from the birdhouse contest.
Council approved the request.
