Shelbyville Common Council approves stricter ordinance to limit downtown truck traffic

The Shelbyville Common Council approved a new ordinance Wednesday enacting stricter traffic regulations for large trucks attempting to pass through the downtown Public Square.

Despite markings, semi-trailers still maneuver through downtown Shelbyville rather than follow marked truck routes. That makes for both pedestrian safety concerns as well as property damage in the downtown area.

The new ordinance defines a truck as:

• Any motor vehicle used in commerce to transport property that has a declared gross vehicle weight of at least 16,000 pounds and is subject to the commercial motor vehicle excise tax under Indiana code section 6-6-5.5

Trucks are allowed around the Public Square if they are picking up or delivering goods, provision of services, access to fueling or repair, or to serve a permitted construction site with no available alternative route.

Through trucks are expected to use the Designated Truck Route (DTR), which are posted by the city. Failure to follow the DTR will be a violation.

Through trucks will assume all responsibility for any damage caused by traveling through the central business district of Shelbyville.

A violation is subject to a fine not exceeding $2,500 for each offense.

In other council business Wednesday:

• Approved a resolution stating the city’s interest in purchasing a building located near Sunrise Park to be used by the Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Department. The city and the building owner, Richard Peck, have had preliminary discussions about purchasing the building that would provide the parks department with multiple uses.
• Approved the rezone of the property at 1115 St. Joseph St. to Business General which clears the way for Travis and Laura Kohrman to operate Gold Star Dance Academy at the site of a former church.

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