The Cranston City Council on Oct. 16 approved several traffic and parking changes intended to improve pedestrian safety near schools and resolve chronic overflow parking in Garden City.

Dominic Fusco, a Ward 3 school committee member and resident, and other speakers urged action near Bain School where crossing guards and parents reported motorists failing to yield at a crosswalk. Councilors voted to limit right turns on red at the specified intersection during hours when crossing guards are present; the sponsor cited consultation with the traffic engineer, who allowed the change without a full traffic study.

Councilors also passed three related parking ordinances (9-25-03, 9-25-04 and 9-25-05) that restrict parking on certain streets in the Garden City neighborhood, including Poppy Drive, to address long-term parking by some apartment residents and to preserve space for emergency vehicles and visitors. Sponsors said the changes balance resident needs, church overflow for St. Mark’s and emergency access.

Why it matters: the changes are intended to improve student and pedestrian safety at a busy school crossing and to reduce chronic street parking that can impede emergency access and neighborhood quality of life.

Council action: ordinances passed by roll call; some members asked for police enforcement in the short term to encourage compliance.