Committee approves parking prohibitions near Gridley/Portland alley; south-end restriction limited to school days and weekends

The Wauwatosa Transportation Affairs Committee on June 17 approved new parking prohibitions at both ends of the alley west of Glenview Avenue to improve access for garbage and emergency vehicles.

The measures, proposed by the city’s engineering and public works staff, prohibit parking on the north side in front of 8130 and 8124 Gridley Avenue and on the south side in front of 8131 and 8125 Gridley Avenue. A related no-parking zone on the south end of the alley along Portland Avenue was adopted with an amendment limiting enforcement to school days, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

City engineering staff said the changes follow a 90-day trial and field observations with garbage trucks. “We went out with the Department of Public Works and their garbage truck and had them prove to me how the vehicles moved in and out of the alley,” said Mike May, engineering department staff, explaining why parking near the alley mouth prevents safe truck operations.

Residents who use the alley and nearby driveways told the committee that parked cars during school pick-up and drop-off block the alley and create single-lane conflicts. Kelly Hay, who lives at 8122 Portland Avenue, told the committee she regularly faces blocked access during school pick-up times and described near-gridlock when parents park for Wilson School pick-up.

Tim Cowling, who assists a neighbor at 8121 Portland Avenue, said the narrow street and drivers who park for school create situations where cars must back into Glenview Avenue or otherwise perform difficult maneuvers. “There’s one lane of traffic, cars are headed east, cars are headed west, that results in a standoff,” Cowling said.

Alder Lewis and other committee members expressed concern about the cumulative effect of parking restrictions citywide but supported the staff recommendation here as requested by public works. Alder Foley proposed a friendly amendment narrowing the time-limited south-side restriction to school days, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays to avoid imposing a full-time, year-round limit. Alder Brennan seconded the amendment; it passed unanimously, and the motion to adopt the item as amended also passed unanimously.

The committee placed the Gridley-only item on file previously and then combined discussion of the two ends of the alley for tonight’s vote. Staff said videos of truck maneuvers are available if the committee or public wants to review them.

The committee recorded the motion as moved by Alder Meindl and seconded by Alder Champine; the amendment to item 3 was proposed by Alder Foley and seconded by Alder Brennan. The voice votes were unanimous.

The committee and residents agreed the restrictions can be revisited if operations, school schedules or neighborhood conditions change.