Following a public hearing, parking changes made during a 90-day pilot program will remain in place, though Plain City officials are still open to feedback. Initially, ‘no parking’ signs were added to both sides of the curved areas of Cooper Lane, Dickens Lane and Murlay Drive. After earlier resident feedback, the program was adjusted to restrict parking on just the inside curves and reduce the length where parking was prohibited, depicted above. Parking was also eliminated on one side of Lantern Lane and Carriage Drive. (Graphic submitted)
Street parking restrictions in some Plain City neighborhoods will remain in place for now, as most residents conceded that the inconvenience is worth the added safety.
Plain City officials hosted a public hearing Wednesday to solicit feedback from residents surrounding a 90-day pilot program that reduced parking on Cooper Lane, Dickens Lane, Carriage Drive, Lantern Lane and Murlay Drive.
“I understand the reasoning for it,” said resident Chris Johnston. “I can’t say that I agree wholeheartedly.”
Acting Village Administrator Haley Lupton recapped that parking changes were implemented in an attempt to reduce bottlenecks experienced by emergency vehicles, eliminate blind spots and improve the general flow of traffic.
She noted that parking was eliminated on one side of Lantern Lane and Carriage Drive.
Initially, ‘no parking’ signs were added to both sides of the curved areas of Cooper Lane, Dickens Lane and Murlay Drive. After earlier resident feedback, the program was adjusted to restrict parking on just the inside curves and reduce the length where parking was prohibited.
Plain City Police Department Lt. Tom Jaskiewicz said the goal of the changes is to “find a sweet spot” that makes the roads safer, while appeasing homeowners.
Though a number of homeowners approved of the efforts to improve safety, they said it is difficult to lose parking they are accustomed to having.
“I didn’t buy the house with that restriction,” Johnston said.
Pleasant Valley Fire District Chief Mark Kidd, a Lantern Lane resident who also lost parking, said he understands.
Still, he emphasized that the changes were “not meant to take away” from residents, but ensure that first responders can navigate the roads and keep them safe.
“When you put that lens on, it changes the perspective,” Kidd said.
When asked by several residents the parking changes have made a significant difference for first responders, Kidd said: “100%”
“It did make that much safer for us,” he said.
The majority of residents, both in attendance and who submitted comments via email, agreed with the decision to prioritize safety.
“I think the safety of the kids is most important,” Lupton read from an email submitted by a Coachman Drive resident.
Still, many noted that the changes have inconvenienced them, especially when having guests at their homes.
Several homeowners suggested requiring wider streets in new developments in order to accommodate parking on both sides.
Jaskiewicz said he understands the logic, but worried that solution could be a “double-edged sword.”
“The wider the street, the faster the traffic,” he said.
Lupton added that many new developments have wider streets, but include other design features to discourage speeding. For instance, she said most residential streets avoid including long straightaways, like those that exist on Lantern Lane and Carriage Drive.
Johnston, though, questioned whether reduced parking on the existing streets actually “helps with speeding.”
Jaskiewicz acknowledged that on-street parking on both sides is another “catch 22.”
He said it does create pinch points which slow traffic. However, he said those pinch points also slow emergency vehicles and negatively impact the sightline.
Kidd added that there have been occasions in which the medic truck – the fire department’s smallest vehicle – has encountered another driver on one of the affected residential roads. When there is parking on both sides, he said drivers often “panic” and stop because they do not know how to let first responders pass.
He said that officials knew the parking changes would be “contentious” from the time they began considering them, but felt changes were necessary.
Their objective, he said, was to start with the widest changes and implement feedback because “it’s much easier to roll it back.”
Jaskiewicz noted that a resident’s feedback drove the decision to once again permit parking on the outside curves of Cooper Lane, Dickens Lane and Murlay Drive.
He said he understands it is a complex issue that requires a balanced solution – which he hopes to work with residents to find.
Johnston suggested painting “parking boxes” on both sides of the street.
He said he believes that would reduce complaints from residents who are unhappy that others are now parking in front of their homes. He said it would also prevent cars from parking bumper-to-bumper, so emergency vehicles could weave through if necessary.
A number of attendees were amenable to his solution.
Mayor Jody Carney, who participated as a member of the audience, noted that officials have also considered sending “good neighbor” letters, encouraging homeowners to park in their driveways or garages when possible.
Jaskiewicz and Lupton said each suggestion will be taken into consideration.
For now, the current changes will remain in place. Lupton said the parking could evolve over time, especially as the village continues to receive feedback from homeowners.
Lupton encouraged anyone with comments or recommendations to email village@plain-city.com.