Council considers personalized handicapped parking spaces

At its April 4 work session, Columbia Borough Council took steps to amend an outdated ordinance that deals with handicapped-accessible parking. The proposal seeks to remove outdated language and to account for a 2019 Pennsylvania state law which allows local governments to assign handicapped-accessible parking placards or license plates to disabled individuals for a specific spot near their homes.

Under the current language, the borough’s public safety committee has the authority to make decisions regarding accessible parking. However, since council removed its committee structure in 2019, Borough Manager Mark Stivers now has that authority. The language in the current document was not updated when committees were eliminated, leading to contradictory language in the ordinance.

If council approves the proposed amendment, a small removable metal plate with a resident’s handicapped-accessible parking number would be added to a handicapped-accessible parking sign near a home. The car would also have to display a placard or license plate with the matching number. This would help prevent conflict between residents and ensure that each person has a designated spot.

At present, residents can request a handicapped-accessible parking space nearby. However, anyone with a handicapped placard may park in that space.

Councilwoman Sharon Lintner introduced the issue after receiving a resident’s complaint. The woman was “expressing some dissatisfaction at the way we handle it,” Lintner said.

Columbia has issued 102 handicapped license placards or plates. The application fee is $100, and the renewal fee is $20 annually. Assigning specific handicapped-accessible parking spaces will increase costs, according to Stivers. The fee to install a basic handicapped-accessible parking sign is more than the $100 application charge, he said.

Council Vice President Eric Kauffman said there are too many handicapped spaces in town. He suggested that application and renewal prices should increase due to the guarantee of a reserved space, but Lintner countered that it should be cheap. She pointed out that residents who have parking placards may already face financial problems due to their disabilities. "Should we punish them for being handicapped?" she asked.

The proposed amendment to the ordinance will improve accessibility and convenience for disabled individuals.