Jim Thorpe Borough Council has taken a step toward restricting where large commercial vehicles and recreational trailers can park on borough streets.

During its Thursday meeting, council authorized the borough solicitor to draft and advertise an amendment to the borough’s vehicle and traffic ordinance that would limit the parking of large vehicles while still allowing deliveries and smaller work vehicles.

The proposal targets large commercial vehicles such as tractor-trailers and buses, along with recreational vehicles, campers, boats and large trailers. Smaller vehicles — including work vans, box trucks and utility trailers — would continue to be allowed, but would remain subject to the borough’s existing 72-hour parking rule.

Council members said the amendment is intended to address safety concerns, traffic visibility and road damage caused by heavier vehicles parking on residential streets.

“The intent of this is to prohibit commercial vehicles over 26,000 pounds, buses, tractor-trailers, RVs, campers, boats and trailers, while still allowing deliveries, loading or unloading and normal vehicles like work trucks, vans and box trucks. They would still follow the 72-hour parking rule,” Borough Council President Connor Rodgers said.

The ordinance would also address concerns about damage to borough roads caused by heavy vehicles.

“Residents don’t want to look outside their windows and see tractor-trailers,” Rodgers said. “They live in residential neighborhoods for a reason. But it’s more than just looks. It’s about safety and the money we spend repairing roads.”

Borough officials said large vehicles parked on narrow streets can obstruct views at intersections and create issues for emergency responders.

“It all makes sense to me from a safety aspect if you’re currently not able to see an intersection,” Mayor Eric Cinicola said. “I think this is a good start safety-wise.”

Police officials also supported the move.

“It’s definitely needed,” Chief Joe Schatz said. “We do have some tractor-trailers now that park in town — not as many as in the past, but they are still here. It can affect safety and whether emergency vehicles can get around.”

The draft amendment will now be prepared and advertised for public review before council considers final adoption at a future meeting.