Committee approves parking limits on Hamilton and Twelfth streets; resident urges seasonal approach

The Infrastructure and Facilities Committee on March 13 advanced two parking-restriction proposals to the full City Council, voting 5-0 to approve limits on Hamilton Street between 10th and 12th streets and on Twelfth Street between Hamilton and Steuben.

The Hamilton Street motion was moved by Alder Neal and seconded by Alder Larson; the Twelfth Street motion was moved by Alder Larson and seconded by Alder Watson. Both motions were approved unanimously by the five committee members present.

The votes move the items to the full council for final consideration. Committee members said they had driven the blocks and observed conditions that supported the proposed restrictions. “I also drove it this afternoon, and I can see where the problem would be,” the committee chair said during discussion.

During public comment, resident Josh, who lives at the corner of Hamilton and Twelfth, asked the committee to consider whether a year-round ban was necessary. He said posted plow widths matter for the decision: “As I was looking online, plows could be anywhere between 10 foot and 14 foot, and that would be quite a big difference in making this decision.” Josh suggested a seasonal restriction (for example December through February) rather than a year-round prohibition because heavy plowing days are limited.

Public Works staff member Dustin responded with technical detail on the city’s equipment: “Our plows vary, but, pretty consistently, like, the machine that runs that route has a 12 foot plow blade on the front, and then we run a 10 foot wing on the side. So we’re pushing…it’s at an angle, so you don’t get the full width. We’re probably 16 foot wide or whatever when we’re plowing through there.”

Committee members said the measures as approved will be included in the meeting minutes and that the alder sponsoring the item will be informed of the public comments; the measures will be considered and may be amended at council if members request changes. The chair noted there is a statutory procedural step of bringing the committee-approved recommendation to council where it can be discussed and modified.

Votes at a glance

• Hamilton Street (between 10th and 12th): Motion to approve parking restriction. Mover: Alder Neal. Second: Alder Larson. Outcome: passed 5-0.

• Twelfth Street (between Hamilton and Steuben): Motion to approve parking restriction. Mover: Alder Larson. Second: Alder Watson. Outcome: passed 5-0.

The committee confirmed the approved recommendations will go to the City Council, which may adopt, amend or return them for further committee discussion.