Committee votes 6–1 to make north-side no-parking on Gilbert permanent near new Firefly Grove Park

After extended public comment from nearby residents and committee debate, the Wauwatosa Transportation Affairs Committee voted 6–1 on June 17 to make permanent a no-parking zone on the north side of West Gilbert Avenue from 116th Street to 113th Street. The council had already placed temporary stakes after the park opened.

Staff originally requested a 90-day trial to assess traffic and parking while the park’s opening activity settled. Engineering and the fire department told committee members that initial congestion and parked cars on both sides of Gilbert hindered two-way flow and could interfere with emergency access during the park’s early opening period. “At the time the reason was…there’s new activity in the area, people aren’t quite used to the park yet. If we could restrict it on one side, it will help out with the emergency services and also keep the two-way traffic going on Gilbert,” said Mike May, engineering staff.

More than a dozen nearby residents spoke in favor of a long-term restriction, describing repeated weekend and evening congestion, blocked driveways, missed mail and safety concerns with children and bicycles near parked cars. Janelle Habeck, who lives at 11510 West Gilbert Avenue, said it can take her more than 10 minutes to exit her driveway on busy weekends and supported the north-side ban. Several residents asked the city to direct visitors to alternate entrances and off-street parking, and to consider permanent signage directing visitors to a Walnut Street entrance.

Alder Brandon moved to make the restriction permanent rather than a trial; Alder Foley seconded. After debate about short-term monitoring versus permanent action — and whether a fire truck could pass when cars parked on both sides — the vote to adopt the permanent no-parking zone passed 6–1 (Alder Lewis opposed). Committee members said the city would continue monitoring side streets for spillover parking and consider additional measures such as signage and communication directing park users to alternate entrances.

Engineering said temporary green stakes have already been posted and the department will install permanent signs. The city will monitor speeds and parking patterns; staff reported an initial 8% reduction in vehicle speeds and 55% reduction in excessive speeding at the site since park opening, but said it would continue to collect data.