Committee approves permanent no-parking on north side of Clark Street

The Cottage Grove Public Works, Properties and Sustainability Committee voted to post permanent no-parking along the north side of Clark Street from Grove Street to the village limits.

Staff presented the proposal after a temporary, 60-day no-parking trial was used to test traffic flow during large events and before a weekend when rugby matches and the Parkinson Run were scheduled. A staff presenter said the committee’s “biggest concern … is that emergency vehicles cannot make, access to Rugby, or to the park, or use Clark Street if another car is coming, at them.”

Committee members discussed whether a time-limited restriction would be effective, with one member arguing that because parking mostly occurs only during large events, a partial restriction would be “kind of pointless.” Another member expressed concern that removing parking could push vehicles to other nearby streets such as Progress and Vilas, creating unsafe pedestrian routes. A committee member noted there are several parking lots near the park — by the fire station and the tennis and pickleball courts — and suggested monitoring their usage during the trial weekend.

The committee approved the permanent no-parking posting “as shown in the packet,” according to a motion recorded on the floor. Staff said they would place temporary signs for the weekend and consider moving a message board to direct visitors to nearby parking lots while staff monitor usage during high-impact times.

The action is intended to preserve two-way access for oversized emergency vehicles and to reduce conflicts during large park events. The committee vote passed; an abstention was recorded during the roll call but individual vote counts were not specified in the transcript.