CORTLAND, Ohio - A Cortland business owner sought help through social media after a car parked around the clock in front of her business meant snow plows couldn't plow about four parking spaces due to that one car being there. 

 

But under Cortland's city ordinances the owner did nothing wrong since the emergency snow parking ban doesn't apply to or exempts that part of West Main Street.

 

The owner of Totally Dog, a business that sells food and supplies for dogs and cats, along with coffee mugs and items for dog and cat lovers, posted a picture highlighting the problem it's causing for customers. 

 

The picture shows a car almost covered in snow looking like a giant snowball, and the spaces in front of the business that couldn't be used for five days or one business week.

 

This snow covered car on West Main Street in Cortland has made it impossible for crews to plow, leaving four parking spaces unable to be used outside Totally Dog. 

 

Because the car has been parked in the space around the clock for almost an entire business week after the heavy snowfall,  the owner tells us it's been frustrating for customers some who rely on curbside delivery at a time when COVID-19 is peaking.

 

"Our responsibility is to our customers and to make it safe and easy for them to come in and purchase and take their purchase out and put them in the car and it was just about impossible," said owner of Totally Dog Kathy Schultz.

 

When customers shop they like the convenience of parking outside the door, especially the folks who buy 50 pound bags of food. But when they arrived they had to park a good distance away and cross the icy street. 

 

Some customers called to ask whether the store was even open since they couldn't see due to the high snow and vehicle that had been covered in show.

 

21 News sought answers and talked with Council President Kevin Piros who found the city could not just have the vehicle towed since an ordinance passed in 1984 exempted a long stretch of West Main Street.

 

"I don't know why they passed the ordinance but it is time to review it. That is the last thing we want to do is do anything to hinder the ability of our businesses to conduct business and for our residents to participate and come down and frequent those businesses," said Council President Kevin Piros.

 

Piros added, "We need to create an ordinance that gives more latitude in removing vehicles before they become buried."

 

Last year, city council worked on a strategic plan and sought input from businesses and the community. Piros believes some of these important issues can be addressed then.

 

Some possibilities include dedicated parking spaces for business owners, and owners who rent apartments providing renters dedicated parking spaces in back.

 

Council President Piros reached out to the police chief and safety service director.  Police responded and dug around the back of the car to find the license plate number and track down the owner.

 

 A relative showed up to help dig out the vehicle so the owner could move it. Piros talked with the owner and told him how to sign up for email alerts so he can be notified of future snow parking bans. 

 

"This is something the police chief and safety service director are aware of and we will be talking through and coming up with a long term solution very soon," emphasized Piros.