Council debates University Parkway no-parking signs; mayor offers to meet with neighbors, executive session held

The University Heights City Council held a lengthy discussion on March 3 about no-parking signs placed along University Parkway after residents complained about blocked driveways and members of a nearby synagogue said the signs affected their operations.

The issue matters because the signs were installed to prevent driveway blockage but neighbors said the measures were too broad and had concentrated parking into a small remaining stretch of the block. Council weighed short-term public-safety concerns, neighborhood access and the synagogue’s operational status, noting the synagogue operates without a special-use permit.

Councilmember Marshall, chair of the Safety Committee, summarized that three permanent “no parking, period” signs had been placed on University Parkway after complaints that driveways were being blocked. Doctor Jeffrey Eckstein (4321 University Parkway) and resident John Ginsburg (4339 University Parkway) spoke during the public-comment segment, asking the council to pause enforcement so neighbors and the synagogue could negotiate. Eckstein and Ginsburg asked for a 90-day pause; Ginsburg said the signs had concentrated cars into a single area and suggested a traffic study and targeted time-limited restrictions instead of an all-day ban.

Councilmembers discussed options including permit parking, council override of the police chief’s decision, or temporary suspension. Councilmember Cooney moved to enter executive session “for the purpose of discussing legal proceedings, personal and real estate matters,” a motion amended to explicitly include threatened litigation. The motion was seconded and, after roll call, the council entered executive session. Minutes show the council later exited executive session and resumed discussion; Councilmember Weiser participated in the executive session and later asked the administration to confirm any decision in writing.

After executive session, council and the mayor said they were open to a temporary pause to allow residents and the synagogue to work toward a resolution. Mayor Ginsburg said he would speak with the parties and asked to be allowed time to consider the request; he did not make an immediate commitment but said he would “take it under advisement” and asked residents to expect a follow-up. Councilmember Rock made and carried a motion to allow audience comments limited to five minutes for this agenda item; the council then heard neighborhood speakers.

No ordinance repealing or permanently changing the posted signs was passed at the meeting. The council approved a motion to accept public comment on the item and agreed to pursue follow-up discussions; the mayor said he would consult with residents and report back to council about whether enforcement would be paused.