Committee backs south-side parking restriction on 15th Street to improve sanitation truck access

The Oshkosh City Transportation Committee unanimously recommended a parking restriction on the south side of 15th Street from South Main to 50 feet west to improve passage for sanitation trucks.

City staff said sanitation crews reported difficulty getting garbage trucks through the block because vehicles park on both sides of the street, leaving insufficient room to pass and to turn onto Main Street. Staff proposed restricting parking on the south side of the block—specifically a 50-foot segment west of the driveway—so trucks can complete their route and maneuver safely.

“...they were just asking if we can just restrict parking to one side so they got enough room to get through here and then to turn on the main street,” a staff member said. The committee discussed whether the restriction would displace employees to other nearby lots; staff said employee parking is available nearby but that employees often park close to their entrances.

A motion to approve the ordinance change was moved and seconded and passed by roll call: Armstrong, Merritt, Hartman, Lynch and Martin voted yes. Staff indicated this requires an ordinance amendment because statutory 15-foot intersection restrictions would not provide sufficient space for the truck turn.

The committee forwarded the restriction to the Common Council for the ordinance process.