ThisWeek CW 10/30/2014

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2014/10/27/john-drive-petition-fails-in-swaying-officials-to-other-side.html

Canal Winchester officials have decided not to act on a petition from residents of John Drive who requested the city alter parking restrictions put in place earlier this year.

A petition, signed by residents of 25 of the 47 properties located on John Drive, states: ” ‘No Parking’ signs were installed on the northern side of the street, where there are no driveways. Parking is allowed on the southern side of the street; however, there are driveways that interfere with much of the parking space on that side of the street.

“We propose that if it is necessary to restrict on-street parking on John Drive to one side of the street, that parking be allowed on the side without driveways (the northern side of the street), provided that fire hydrants do not get blocked.”

Earlier this year, Madison Township Fire Chief Robert Bates raised concerns that emergency vehicles were unable to safely navigate John Drive due to the number of vehicles lining both sides of the street.

In response, the city installed the ‘No Parking’ signs on the north side of the street where the fire hydrants are located, based on Bates’ recommendation.

According to Public Service Director Matt Peoples, John Drive was not on the original plat for the Cherry Landing development, and all of the original streets had been “originally designated (with this restriction) on the plat, but John Drive was missed when it was added in later.”

“We didn’t really care which side the restriction was on, so we asked the fire department for input,” Peoples told City Council at its Oct. 20 meeting. “And now, talking with Chief Bates, who lives in the neighborhood, he took another look and it’s not his recommendation to change it, mostly due to fire-hydrant access.”

In an email to the city, Bates laid out several concerns about changing what he termed the “fire lane,” from one side of the street to the other.

“The access issues created by switching the fire-lane side of the street goes beyond access to fire hydrants. The hydrant side of John Drive has houses that do not have traditional front driveways; they have rear driveways,” Bates wrote. “This lends itself to creating a situation where access to houses is limited and will adversely impact fire and EMS operations. This limited access is also a safety issue as staff may have to carry hose, ladders, cots and other equipment to get it around vehicles that may be in the way.”

Peoples said some residents still choose to disobey the parking restriction and sheriff’s deputies have so far left “friendly reminders,” which Sgt. Marian Devault said soon would become tickets.

“I know this was a change from when they moved in, but it never should’ve been there from the beginning,” Peoples said.

Council members agreed that it was in the city and residents’ best interest to adhere to the fire department’s recommendation. No council member made a motion to amend the current parking ordinance.