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Trustees debate one-way alley proposal behind downtown; no action taken
Summary
Board members and staff discussed making a narrow downtown alley one-way to improve safety and visibility; trustees voiced mixed views about compliance and parking impacts and asked staff to explore targeted parking changes rather than an immediate one-way conversion.
Trustees held an extended discussion about a citizen- and business-initiated proposal to convert a narrow alley behind downtown (near Bethlehem and Nash streets) to one-way traffic. The topic was raised by staff as an initial discussion; no ordinance or traffic-control change was adopted.
Safety and visibility concerns
Staff and the police chief said visibility leaving the alley toward Bethlehem and Nash streets is limited when vehicles or larger trucks occupy the first two stalls; the same stop sign at the alley has been struck multiple times. Several trustees said the stop sign location and parked larger vehicles contribute to collisions and close calls.
Compliance and enforcement concerns
Trustees and the police chief said that while converting to a one-way alley might reduce some conflict, enforcement and compliance (particularly after bar time) would remain a concern and some drivers will still travel the alley the wrong way. Trustees worried drivers would assume one-way status and not look for oncoming traffic, potentially increasing risk where visibility is poor.
Alternative measures discussed
Trustees discussed smaller interventions as an interim step: restricting the first few stalls to compact cars, motorcycles or ATVs to keep larger vehicles from extending past the curb line; adding clearer signage; repositioning the stop sign or changing its placement; or installing physical wheel-stop or pylon controls at the first stalls. Several trustees suggested a village survey or outreach to affected property owners and businesses before a formal change.
Board direction
There was no motion to change the alley to one-way traffic. Trustees asked staff to gather more input from adjacent property owners, to explore the feasibility of limiting the first stalls to smaller vehicles, and to research whether signage or minor curb adjustments could improve sight lines. Staff indicated internal parking changes can be implemented administratively, but formal ordinance changes would require additional steps and perhaps a separate meeting for final action.
