March 19, 2024

City officials to address parking concerns

The Traffic Safety Committee has been busy working to address parking concerns throughout the city. In the latest round, the committee proposed changes to four areas citizens have expressed concerns about.

Currently, parking is restricted on both sides of North Third Avenue West from West Third Street North to a point 65 feet west. The street and city right-of-way in the 300 block of North Third Avenue West was abandoned several years ago. The committee recommends removing the parking restriction.

“The city received safety concerns from citizens regarding street parking along North Third Avenue West. These complaints are a result of vehicles being parked on both sides of streets that are too narrow to allow this parking capacity and still allow vehicles free and safe passage,” interim city administrator Jarrod Wellik said. “A primary concern is that emergency vehicles may not be able to travel through this area on emergency calls and there is a heightened risk of motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents as a result of the current parking design.”

The committee recommends restriction parking on the south side of North Third Avenue West between West Eighth Street North and West Ninth Street North, which is a 16-foot wide gravel street. It is also recommended to continue allowing parking on the north side.

Six surveys were distributed to adjacent property owners. Two were returned and both were in favor of the recommended changes.

Additional safety concerns were voiced by citizens about parking on Crescent Drive between East 13th Street North and East 14th Street North. The street is 25 feed wide, which the committee finds is not wide enough to safely accommodate parking on both sides.

The committee recommends restricting parking on the north side of Crescent Drive. Eleven surveys were send to nearby property owners with three returned. Two of the residents agreed with the recommendations while one opposed an changes.

A concern about pedestrian safety brought the area of West Fourth Street North from North Seventh Avenue West to the northern city limits before the committee. Due to the width of the road at 20 feet and the heavy truck traffic, there is a concern about parking on both sides of the street if an emergency vehicle would need to move through along with pedestrian accidents as a result of the parking design.

The committee recommends restricting parking on both sides of the street. Thirty two surveys were sent to the adjacent property owners with 11 returned to the city. Ten residents agreed with the recommendation while one opposed any changes.

The final area covers the 800 through 1300 block of East 14th Street South. The area is considered a minor collector street with areas at 25 feet and 31 feet wide.

The committee reviewed the area and recommends restricting parking on the west side of the street. Thirty one surveys describing the changes were sent to area property owners. Of those, 20 were returned with 12 agreeing with the changes and eight opposing the restriction.

City council approved the first reading of the ordinance with two additional readings scheduled before it is adopted and changes are made.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com