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Council stalls Manor Drive parking ordinance after clash between safety officials, residents and business owners
Summary
First reading of Ordinance 2025-4 proposing parking restrictions on Manor Drive (89 feet north side, 69 feet south side) prompted extended debate, public comment from residents and businesses, and intervention by a state representative. The council did not advance the ordinance to a second reading at this meeting.
At first reading on July 15, the West Warwick Town Council considered Ordinance 2025-4 to amend the town traffic code by restricting parking on Manor Drive near the Manor apartment entrance. The proposal would have set no-parking distances of 89 feet on the northerly side and 69 feet on the southerly side of the designated block.
Fire and public-safety officials told council members the restriction was intended to ensure ladder-truck access and safe entry and egress from a narrow apartment driveway and to prevent difficulty when emergency vehicles respond. The fire representative said trucks need the longer clearance to position ladders and reach higher floors in the Manor building.
The discussion drew substantial public comment. Several residents and nearby business owners said the restriction would eliminate long-standing parking used by employees and customers and would harm Arctic-area businesses. One speaker referenced the town's 2020 comprehensive plan, arguing the proposed ordinance conflicted with stated goals to improve parking access. Others, including State Representative Thomas Noray, said they had investigated citizens' safety complaints and supported the traffic committee’s field assessment of sightlines and clearance at the driveway.
Councilors and staff debated whether the ordinance was necessary given existing state and municipal parking laws that already prohibit parking within specified distances of crosswalks, stop signs and intersections. Some council members said existing law — and additional signage and enforcement — might resolve the problem without new ordinance language. Others recommended replacing an improperly installed sign at the location and using ordinary enforcement to remind drivers of the existing rules.
After public comment and further council discussion, several members said they were not comfortable advancing the ordinance without additional review and clearer communication from the Traffic Safety Committee; the motion did not move to a second reading at this meeting. Councilors asked staff to ensure the Traffic Safety Committee circulates agenda materials to the full council in advance and to revisit the proposal at a later meeting with clearer measurements and signage recommendations.
The issue exposed larger concerns about downtown parking capacity and the need for a broader parking review in the Arctic area; planning-board members and local business advocates were referenced as stakeholders for any comprehensive study.
