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Hawthorne council approves trial one-way conversion for North Eighth Street
Summary
At its April 2 meeting the Hawthorne Borough Council approved a first-reading ordinance to convert North Eighth Street to a one-way into Prospect Park on a trial basis, with signage to be installed after the May 7 meeting and a county-requested 60-day study ending July 7 unless extended.
Hawthorne Borough Council approved on first reading an ordinance to convert North Eighth Street to a one-way roadway into Prospect Park and to run a short-term trial and traffic study, the council said at its April 2 meeting.
The ordinance (introduced as "Ordinance 23609-25," amending Chapter 505 schedules) passed first reading after a roll call in which all councilmembers present voted yes. Councilmembers discussed timing, enforcement and the county’s role before the vote. Councilmember Leosah moved the ordinance and Councilmember Sasso seconded the motion.
Council members and staff said the one-way conversion aims to reduce unsafe passing and improve parking on North Eighth while the county evaluates traffic impacts in both Hawthorne and adjoining Prospect Park. The council intends to erect signs and begin the one-way transition immediately after adoption at the May 7 meeting; the ordinance was described as effective June 3 on its face. The county asked that the change be treated as a temporary trial: the conversion will be evaluated for approximately 60 days and is scheduled to expire July 7 unless the borough and county take further action to extend or make it permanent.
Mayor Lane and council members emphasized that the stretch is a county road, and the county requested the short trial so officials can assess whether traffic is diverted in ways that adversely affect Prospect Park businesses or neighborhoods. Council members said that, if the trial shows the change is successful, the governing bodies would pursue the additional ordinance and administrative steps required to make the change permanent.
Councilmembers also addressed implementation details: signs will be installed and the borough will notify residents via the website and neighborhood alerts; enforcement was described as phased and will follow the sign installation. Council members noted the likely practical timeline for a permanent decision may align with the school year’s start in September, should additional county review or Prospect Park input be required.
The ordinance was framed as a two-step process: adopt for trial/first reading, then follow with study and potential separate final-adoption ordinance if results support permanence. The council recorded the first-reading vote as all yes; no amendments were recorded during debate.
