06/05/2001 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 6/5/2001 Judy Fox, 27725 Blossom • As she sees it, the ordinance dealing with Sweetbrier, as it is currently written, is two totally different issues. The first issue is changing the existing wording of `2To Stopping, Standing or Parking" to include a time limitation to enable the residents and their guests to park inside the currently restricted area during non-school hours. Although it's been stated that this ordinance is only out of concern for the safety of the school children, she cannot think of any situation where the elimination of a safe zone in a crosswalk area would enhance the safety of anyone. There is an issue of convenience of the residents who are currently unable to park in front of their houses at any time. There is an argument to be made that the crosswalk in question is being used mainly at the beginning and the ending of the school day. But this issue of convenience should not be confused with the safety issues of the children. As everyone agrees that the issue of safety must be priority, Council's decision should be made based on the facts. It was stated that, although this ordinance would allow parking immediately next to the crosswalk during non-school hours, there wasn't enough room to park a car on the west side because it would block a resident's driveway. lfiis statement was made to demonstrate that this would allow enough of a safe cushion if a child were to use the crosswalk when a crossing guard was not there. This afternoon she went and measured the distance on the south side of Sweetbrier from the westernmost line on the crosswalk to the easternmost part of the first driveway. It exceeded 25 feet. According to the Pine School handbook, the children are allowed to leave school property with their parents' permission at lunch time. This ordinance would not take into account that children could be leaving the school grounds during the school day. The second issue of this ordinance is relocating the signs, further expanding the restricted area on Sweetbrier. She can see the value of moving the signs past the driveways from where they are currently located to discourage any inconsiderate drivers who might stop in front of the driveways. The additional footage, while maybe not necessary, would not in any way hinder the adult crossing guard in assisting the children's safety in crossing the street. She would, however, like to make Council aware that certain residents of Sweetbrier have told her that they view this ordinance only as a stop-gap measure and that they intend to pursue astreet-wide parking ban during the restricted hours only to stop the invasion of their neighborhood. It's this type of thinking that has made her question the motives of some the residents. She hopes that any sugge~ion to further restrict the parking will not be entertained. If Council believes that this wouldn't jeopardize the safety of the children, then the ordinance should be approved. However, if it's determined that there is even a chance that the removal of the no stopping and parking zone during certain hows could jeopardize safety, she hopes that it's the children that's made the priority and that the ordinance is defeated. There is, however, an alternative. ff Council believes that for the safety of the children the added footage is needed, the current ordinance could be amended stating that it would be at all times, and that would eliminate the portion of the ordinance that might hinder the safety of the children. 6