Residents place two initiatives on November ballot

Proponents collected the required number of signatures to place two Englewood initiatives on the November ballot that would change city codes concerning boards and commissions and vehicle parking on private property.

One initiative would prohibit any elected official from holding a position on a city board or commission except those positions designated for council members by city charter. Also, the initiative limits a resident’s consecutive service on a board or commission to three terms.

The second initiative regards vehicle parking on private property. Among the proposals, the initiative would remove weight restrictions and the requirement for all vehicles, trailers boats, campers or recreational vehicle and would allow them to be parked and stored on private property as would business-labeled vehicles. Also, the initiative would remove the present city code limiting the number of trailers, campers or RV to a maximum of two on a property.

Englewood resident Frank Copley said he favors both initiatives.

“I don’t think council members should take positions on boards and commissions that would be filled by a resident and I don’t favor someone staying on one of the boards forever,” he said. “As for the other issue, I don’t have an RV but I just don’t think it’s right for the city to dictate what can and can’t be parked on a homeowner’s property.”

Marge White had no opinion on the board and commission issue but opposed the second initiative.

“We need rules to keep our city looking nice,” the long-time Englewood resident said. “I just don’t think we should have trailers and those other things parked in front of a house. It just doesn’t look very nice.”

Residents needed to collect the signatures of at least 519 registered voters in order to get an initiative on the ballot.

Proponents of the board and commission initiative collected 747 signatures. The review showed 543 signatures were valid so the issue will be placed on the ballot.

The supporters of the property rights initiative collected 775 signatures, 562 were accepted so the issue will also go on the November ballot.