The Culver Town Council members heard public comments concerning the proposed traffic ordinance.
Council Vice President Sally Ricciardi read a citizen’s letter into the record that discussed safety concerns for emergency vehicles and residents maneuvering around the streets that are narrow. One street mentioned was Ohio Street and portions of that street will have no parking as part of the ordinance. The resident also mentioned the noise level of semi truck idling in residential neighborhoods and parking of the tractor trailers on residential streets.
Councilman Joel Samuelson asked to clarify the idling time presented in the ordinance. The ordinance would not allow idling for more than 15 minutes for those semi tractor trailers allowed to park on private property in residential neighborhoods and not on the street. Any continuous 15 minute interval is recognized as legal. Any time beyond that violates the ordinance.
No other comments were made.
After the public hearing was closed, the three council members present for Tuesday night’s meeting voted 2-1 to pass the ordinance. Sally Ricciardi and Tammy Shaffer voted in favor of passing the ordinance while Joel Samuelson voted against its passage. Council President Ginny Bess Munroe and Council Member David Beggs were not in attendance. Town Attorney Jim Clevenger was asked if that was a legal vote and he noted that the three members presented a quorum so a majority vote can pass an action item.
The ordinance designates a congested motor vehicle traffic and pedestrian area on Lakeshore Drive and a no parking zone for 50 feet from the intersection on both sides of the street on Batabano and South Plymouth Street. There will be no parking allowed on the east side of Ohio Street from Davis to Mill Street and no parking on either side of Ohio Street from Washington Street to Jefferson Street. Semi truck and trailer parking is banned on residential streets. Semi trucks and trailers may be parked on private property in residential zones or at the street department or water tower.
