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Martinsville board orders crosswalk and 20‑foot no‑parking zone after visibility complaints at Main and Harrison
Summary
After residents complained that parked vehicles and trailers blocked sight lines at Main and West Harrison, the Board of Works approved painting a crosswalk and 20‑foot curb markings and to enforce a no‑parking zone measured from the crosswalk; staff cited Indiana Title 9 parking rules.
The Martinsville Board of Works and Safety voted to paint a crosswalk at Main and West Harrison and to mark a 20‑foot no‑parking zone measured from the crosswalk after residents raised safety concerns about vehicles and trailers blocking sight lines.
Public-safety concerns were raised by staff and board members about vehicles and long‑term‑parked trailers that block drivers’ view when turning at the northwest corner of Main and West Harrison. "My recommendation, until we do redo our parking ordinance, as a matter of city policy, allow us the flexibility to enact a 20 foot no parking zone when there's a visibility or a safety issue," a staff member told the board.
A staff speaker noted state traffic law when discussing how the city could measure the no‑parking zone: "The Indiana State statute, Title 9 on traffic code, is a law that parking should be prohibited within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. So, basically, if you would designate that, go up and paint the crosswalk, and then you could measure 20 feet from that going north, and that would be your no parking zone." The board agreed to paint a crosswalk and to paint yellow curb markings 20 feet from the crosswalk on both sides to create an enforceable no‑parking area.
Board members discussed other intersections near schools and said they will identify additional problem corners. Enforcement will begin with warnings and will involve code enforcement and the city’s police contingent; the board cited a practice of issuing warnings first, then citations for ordinance violations if necessary. The board voted by voice to approve the crosswalk, curb painting and enforcement plan.
Background: the city does not currently have a parking ordinance written to the specific distances referenced; staff said a broader rewrite of the parking ordinance is under consideration but not yet presented to council. The board’s action creates a site‑specific safety measure pending any ordinance update.
Taper: Staff will paint the crosswalk, mark 20‑foot curb zones and notify neighbors; enforcement will initially emphasize warnings and education, with citations as a follow-up where violations continue.
