Committee approves Hamden streetscape ordinance changes and map; refers legal form to law department

The Ordinance Committee approved a package of streetscape changes for a section of Hamden Street spanning Waldo Street to Nanotuck Street and directed that necessary ordinance amendments be drafted and reviewed by the law department.

Councilor Meg McGrath Smith presented a map prepared by Interim City Engineer Victoria Houle that responds to repeated driveway‑blocking and crosswalk misuse on the block near the Seibel Apartments. The engineer’s plan would remove a mid‑block pedestrian crossing, convert an existing designated handicap space into a no‑parking zone adjacent to a driveway, create a formal loading area near an ADA ramp, and revise on‑street parking in places to improve sight lines and reduce illegal stopping at the crosswalk.

McGrath Smith said a resident’s repeated blocked driveway and frequent illegal parking on the crosswalk motivated the initiative. The engineer’s memo confirmed that some of the on‑the‑ground practice on Hamden was not currently reflected in the city’s ordinances and that painting and signage changes plus ordinance edits were required.

Councilor Linda Bacon moved an amendment that all proposed ordinance language requiring legal form be forwarded to the law department. The committee approved the map, the ordinance changes as described in the engineer’s memo, and the referral to law department for legal drafting by roll call (unanimous). The DPW will be asked to implement physical painting and markings once legal form and any required public‑hearing steps are completed.