Board weighs no‑parking petition for Green Acres and Harpers drives; staff cites resident petition and fire access constraints

City staff presented an update on a petition to establish a no‑parking zone along portions of Green Acres Drive and Harpers Drive during a Feb. 25 work session, reporting resident support strong enough for a successful petition and recommending approval of an ordinance to prohibit parking between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Engineering staff said staff refined the proposed limits after resident feedback and that the petition reached roughly 71% support on both streets and 78% on Green Acres when renters were included. The recommended restriction would prohibit parking from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily in the petitioned segment. Paul (engineering) noted the streets measure about 18–19 feet, short of the 20‑foot clearance typically needed by fire code to allow parking on one side and still provide emergency access; staff said that is part of the rationale for restricting parking during the day.

Board members raised multiple operational concerns: Alderman Burger asked where service vehicles (plumbers, landscapers, delivery trucks) would park if residents cannot use street parking; fellow aldermen suggested short‑term “stop and go” activity should be accommodated and discussed the possibility of residents placing cones for active service work. Alderman Flynn and others urged exceptions or more flexibility for holidays, family gatherings and visitor parking; staff said designing holiday exemptions is difficult, and that the short petitioned segment and nearby permitted parking areas are part of the trade‑off.

Staff recommended approval based on the successful petition and the frequency of resident support; no formal board vote was taken during the work session. The ordinance (2024‑49) will return for formal action at the business meeting.