The State College Borough Council last night enacted an ordinance to make it easier to enforce regulations that prohibit parking on lawns.

The violation was changed from a zoning to a nuisance violation. Enforcement of the borough's previous ordinance, which was enacted in 1978, was a lengthy process that was hard to enforce, said Zoning Officer Herman Slaybaugh.

"It's come about because it is difficult to enforce that law when it's under zoning," he said.

The new ordinance allows the borough's ordinance enforcement officer or the zoning officer to issue a $15 ticket to either the vehicle owner or the property owner where the car is parked. Borough Health Officer Mark Henry said this applies to motor and recreational vehicles.

Under the old ordinance, violators were given 30-days notice and then a $25 to $300 fine if they still did not comply to the law.

Arthur Beward, 333 E. Foster Ave., objected because under the ordinance the property owner can be fined even if he or she doesn't own the vehicle. Council decided to allow the enforcement officer to use his discretion when issuing fines.

Slaybaugh said the fraternity section and densely populated areas downtown have the highest number of violations.

The ordinance, for the most part, will only be enforced during the ordinance enforcement officer's hours, which are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, Henry said.

In other business, council awarded a $109,582 contract to HRI, Inc., 1750 W. College Ave., for the resurfacing of about 1,300 linear feet of Adams Avenue between the streets of North Allen and Holmes. The project was expected to cost $120,000 under the 1990 budget.

Council also awarded $19,959 to Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc., 325 W. Aaron Drive, for storm drainage improvements at Barnard Street and Highland Alley.

Another measure passed by council bans parking from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Hillcrest Avenue between Martin Terrace and Fairway Road.