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Council opens public hearing on proposed no-standing zone on Dexter Street
Summary
Tonawanda City Council opened a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the city code to prohibit standing of vehicles on the east side of Dexter Street from Tussing Lane north for 100 feet; residents described sight-line and emergency-access concerns and urged a shorter buffer.
Tonawanda City Council opened a public hearing to consider amending Tonawanda City Code section 62-193 (Schedule 15) to prohibit standing of vehicles on the east side of Dexter Street from Tussing Lane to a point 100 feet north. The clerk read the public-notice language before residents addressed the council.
Residents who spoke urged the council to adopt restrictions for safety. “When you're pulling onto or off of Dexter to Tussig, you can't see traffic coming towards you,” said Catherine Burks of 100 Dexter Street, adding the street is narrow and she wants the change “to be safer.” Randy Walker of 128 Chester Street told the council that street plowing and emergency-vehicle access are affected when cars park on both sides in winter, calling it “a huge safety issue.”
Another resident, speaking for Jack Gallagher of 204 Dexter, told the council Gallagher believed a 100-foot no-standing zone “is too long” and would prefer a shorter distance at the corner. The clerk and speakers on the record confirmed the council received written material and local residents measured the distance in question during public comment.
The public hearing was opened and then closed during the meeting; no final vote on the proposed code amendment was recorded in the transcript. Council members and staff discussed next steps after public comment, including follow-up through the city’s traffic-safety process. Councilmember Fisher said the item will move forward with the traffic-safety committee, noting the council has “wheels in motion” to address the safety concerns raised at the hearing.
Because the hearing record and testimony focused on sight lines, plowing and emergency access, council members asked staff to return with options (including a shorter no‑standing zone) and implementation details; no ordinance adoption or final amendment was recorded on the transcript of this meeting.
The clerk’s public‑hearing notice identified the specific code section under consideration: Tonawanda City Code section 62-193, Schedule 15. Council discussion and public testimony emphasized localized safety effects and winter plowing and emergency-vehicle access as the principal reasons residents want parking restrictions adjusted.
The council closed the public hearing and proceeded with other agenda items. Staff and the traffic-safety committee were asked to review the public comments and provide follow-up recommendations at a future meeting.
