Relief is coming for residents on Racine Road

WARREN — Mayor Lori Stone recently talked about the collaborative efforts of local and executive government to find solutions for Warren residents who have been seeking relief for more than a decade.

For nearly 15 years, the neighbors on Racine Road whose property is near the Tech Plaza shopping center at 12 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue in Warren have had to contend with semitrucks parking at the plaza overnight, running their engines, and the exhaust, noise and smell that result from it, according to Stone.

“It is a quality-of-life issue,” Stone said.

“It’s been an ongoing complaint that they just have not had resolution with,” said Stone, who made this among her priorities when coming into office.

According to the mayor, her efforts have been a collective enterprise of collaboration with her office, the Department of Public Works, City Council, Warren police and the owner of Tech Plaza, Tom Petzold, to develop the right language that is enforceable.

The mayor said in the past the police could not verify if the trucks were allowed to be there because it was private property.  As a result, they could not direct the trucks to relocate or turn off their engines even if neighbors complained.

A new ordinance is being developed that had its first reading at the July 25 City Council meeting because the meeting originally scheduled for July 23 was canceled due to a power outage. A second reading is required before an ordinance can be adopted. Once the ordinance is adopted, the vehicles will need authorization to park at Tech Plaza overnight. If they do not have the authorization, according to the mayor, it will be presumed they are not allowed to park there, and the police can ask them to relocate.

“They can do a lot more than that,” said Council Secretary Mindy Moore.  “This would allow police to ticket and/or tow the vehicle.”

Finally, it could mean some relief for the residents.

“There are approximately 30 to 35 residents on Racine who wanted a solution and now we have one for them,” Stone said. “This is an example when government works together.  You need both the legislative and executive departments to find solutions. We can solve the problems residents bring us. I’m really proud of the ways we are working together to serve Warren residents.”