The proposed tax on commercial parking spaces in Robinson is "perhaps the most complicated piece of legislation I've ever worked on for a municipality," solicitor Sam Kamin told Robinson commissioners Monday night.

Commissioners were poised to set a date for a public hearing on the ordinance but pulled the item from the agenda after Mr. Kamin asked for more time.

"This hearing will involve the police, the public works crew, the treasurer -- it's not your ordinary hearing," Mr. Kamin said.

That's because he and township Manager Rich Charnovich want to be able to prove that the township spends more tax dollars serving businesses than it gets back in taxes from businesses.

If they can demonstrate that businesses are draining the township coffers and forcing residents to chip in more to keep things afloat, they can make a better case for the new tax.

The commercial parking privilege tax would be assessed on commercial parking spaces.

But there's no real precedent for it, and a number of township businesses have expressed concerns about its legality. One of the primary arguments is that it would amount to double taxation -- the parking spaces occupy land that already is taxed.

"We've had a number of letters from major developers," commissioners Chairman Dan Tallon said. "I will say that they raise some good points and were probably stretching it a bit on a few others."

Commissioner Sam Abatta also noted that he'd like to have more discussion among the commissioners before going forward with the hearing. "I think we're getting the cart before the horse," he said.

The commissioners also are poised to pass updates to their ordinances on temporary signs and on peddling and solicitations. Both will be on the agenda for Monday's voting meeting.

The sign ordinance amendment includes a number of new definitions and restrictions designed to let businesses use banners and temporary signs to announce special events while at the same time setting some limits. The township has, since the fall, been on a campaign against illegal signs, but its one enforcement officer has been unable to keep up with the number of businesses.

The solicitation ordinance would require those wishing to sell on the street or door to door to get a license from the township, with a fee sufficient to cover a background check. The licenses would be good for 10 days, and each company would be limited to 10 licenses at a time.