Regular Currents readers may remember the story in the Winter 2006 edition regarding narrow streets and parking congestion. We all know the necessity to assure safe passage of emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks and snow plows is of critical public concern. Safe passage is not always permissible, however, on narrow streets that allow for parking on both sides. The “standard” street width of 31’ (back-of-curb to back-of-curb) allows for acceptable traffic flow even when vehicles are parked on both sides. Narrower streets are interspersed throughout the City, however, and some contain no parking restrictions whatsoever. It is impossible for a wide-bodied emergency vehicle to drive down some streets when cars are parked on both sides. This problem becomes even more pronounced in winter months when snow and ice build-up accumulate at the curb, further restricting through traffic.
In order to correct this situation, the City Council directed staff to prepare a plan for implementing one-sided parking restrictions on curbed streets of less than 31’ in width. That work has been completed, and the Council will soon be presented with a lengthy list of recommended new one-sided parking restrictions on “narrow” streets. Remember, the overriding concern here is safety….that emergency vehicle may be responding to a life-threatening call…and safe passage must be provided. Because of this critical need, Council members have been advised to refrain from making exceptions to the recommended restrictions when and if immediate neighbors ask for deviations.
Affected sections (not necessarily the entire length) of the following streets will be impacted by this intended action:
Alexis Boulevard, Barkwood Drive, Barrington Drive, Bicentennial Drive, Birch Street, Bluff Street, Boxwood Drive, California Street, Catherine Street, Chriskin Road, Clay Street, College Street, Colorado Road, Columbia Drive, Cottage Lane, Cottonwood Lane, Drury Lane, Eagle Ridge Road, Forrest Road, Fox View Drive, Franklin Street, Galloway Street, Gibson Street, Green Creek Road, Greenhill Drive, Grove Street, Harvest Lane, Hawthorne Drive, Hedgewood Circle, Hickory Lane, Highview Court, Hunter Drive, Ida Street, Iowa Street, Ironwood Drive, Kaspend Place, Laurie Avenue, Madison Street, Mandalay Drive, Meadowlark Lane, Meadow View Circle, Melrose Court, Melrose Drive, Merner Avenue, Oak Avenue, Olive Street, Parker Street, Parrish Street, Pearl Street, Ravine Drive, Ridgeway Lane, River Ridge Lane, River Ridge Road, Russell Drive, Schreiber Street, Scoggin Street, Seerley Boulevard, Shady Lane, State Street, Sunnyside Drive, Timber Drive, Timberledge Drive, Timberledge Place, Tremont Street, West Viking Road, Willow Avenue, Virgil Street, Winters Drive, 3rd Street, 5th Street, 8th Street, 9th Street, 10th Street, 11th Street, 13th Street, 14th Street, 15th Street, 16th Street, 19th Street, 20th Street, 21st Street, 22nd Street, 15th Street, 16th Street.
An ordinance addressing all of these changes must be prepared for legal review, and signage changes must be planned. It is expected that these changes will occur before the upcoming winter storm season is upon us, yet exact implementation dates are as yet unknown. Any person wanting more specific information about selected street sections may call City Engineering at 273-8606.