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is located inarrappropriately zoned area. Other requirements- mandate that tow truck operators on law enforcement rotations have adequate vehicle storage areas. These regulations then ensure that a tow truck operator may not operate his business from his home in a residential area. Other than Mr. Sigler's complaints regarding Mr. Seeley, staff has received no complaints regarding tow truck operators since the May 14th meeting. Therefore, it appears that, if this is a problem, it is not a common or universal problem. Notwithstanding the above stated facts, tow truck parking allowances are a policy issue for the Board to decide. To make changes to these requirements would involve amendment of the county's land development regulations. These amendments could be made only after public hearings held by both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board. As an exception to the county's general commercial vehicle regulations, the tow truck allowance recognizes the need for emergency response and the public benefit of reduced response time. This allowance does not restrict tow truck parking in residential areas to nights and weekends, therefore seemingly acknowledging that tow trucks may park at residences during lunch hours and at other times of the day. In fact, the county's general commercial vehicle regulations provide for commercial vehicles being parked in residential areas for a limited amount of time each month, thereby allowing for lunch hour and other infrequent stops. For the reasons stated above, staff feels that the extended parking of tow trucks in residential areas is not a pervasive problem and that the county's regulations should not be changed. • Condusiion Of the two tow truck issues raised by Mr. Sigler, one is an enforcement issue, while the other is a policy issue. Statf's_position is that current county regulations are adequate. The wrecked/disabled vehicle issue can be resolved if violations are promptly reported to the sherif's department with a request that an incident report be prepared. With respect to the extended parking of tow trucks in residential areas, staff feels that existing regulations are adequate. Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners maintain existing tow truck regulations. George Sigler read from a prepared statement: Tow Truck Emergency Operations i. Personallntroduction: A. George Sigler Vietnam Vet. Over 100 combat missions in Vet Nam. Presently manage the largest Air Force bombing, strafing, and gunnery range East of the Mississippi in Avon Park, FI. B. Reason for moving to 31 st Ave. SW. Quiet, serene, dead end, one block street Until a year ago when tow truck began operating in neighborhood. u. This issue is not about Mr. Seeley and myself, but about our community, and our community leaders being provided factual information on which to base their decisions which in this case do affect hundreds of people. This is about data gathering so a logical conclusion can be reached and a recommendation made based on facts not feelings. This is no more or less than this community deserves from our highly dedicated and trained representatives. A. Point in fact is that Mr. Seeley has greatly improved his operation as a result of my meeting last month with staff, has stopped bringing disabled vehicles into the neighborhood, and even disconnected his back-up warning horn so it does not blare throughout the neighborhood and for this I thank him. The only thing Mr. Seeley might be guilty of is excising poor judgment in moving out of a neighborhood where his previous neighbors complained about his tow truck operations into another even quieter neighborhood. FEBRUARY 25, 1997 27 BOOK DUO FAUN d b