Board approves no‑parking zone at alley near High School Drive after safety concerns

The Board approved a motion to prohibit parking “here to corner” on the north side of Litzinger at the alley that serves McGrath School’s early childhood center after Aldermen and staff described obstructed sight lines caused by vehicles parked up to the alley entrance.

An Alderman who placed the item on the agenda said parents often park close to the alley while dropping off children, limiting visibility for drivers exiting the alley during morning peak traffic. Public Works staff told the Board it had already excluded parking on the south side of the alley and recommended painting the curb yellow at the alley mouth on the north side, adding a “No parking here to corner” sign, and—if needed—changing the municipal code to formalize the distance prohibited. The staff member also proposed measuring sight distance and returning with a specific ordinance amendment (Schedule 3a) for the Board and full Board vote.

Alderman motioned to place a no‑parking zone on the north side of Litzinger at the alley; another member seconded. The roll call recorded Aldermen Sims, Lochmiller and Harter voting yes and the motion carried 3–0. Staff said painting or stenciling the curb and installing signs would allow police enforcement; further code changes would be drafted and sent to the full Board if required.

Board members discussed additional options such as a convex mirror to improve sight lines and stenciled pavement markings; staff cautioned overpainting curbs citywide for aesthetic reasons and noted the enforcement value of posted signs. The item will return with measurements and a draft code change if the Board requests it.