Council approves handicap parking space at 25 East Lincoln Avenue after neighbors and applicant speak

Delaware City Council on May 12 voted to authorize a designated handicap parking space in front of 25 East Lincoln Avenue, adopting Resolution 25-33 after a public hearing that included testimony from the applicant and a nearby resident.

The applicant, Ronald Boring of 25 East Lincoln Avenue, told council his household includes two people with qualifying disabilities and that the homes driveway is narrow and difficult for residents who use rollators or wheelchairs. "My driveway is... too narrow for any kind of accessibility with walkers and wheelchairs," Boring said, adding that the driveway layout leaves little room to open vehicle doors without hitting the house or a neighbors vehicle.

Neighbor Corwin Ratliff, who lives at 23 East Lincoln Avenue, said he received a notice about the request and expressed concern about reduced on-street parking in a neighborhood with limited off-street spaces. Ratliff said he "rarely if ever" parks in front of 25 East Lincoln and worried the dedicated spot would prompt others to seek similar spaces.

Chief of Police Adam Moore summarized staff and Parking & Safety Committee handling: staff initially declined the request citing available off-street parking, but after the applicant provided additional information about driveway width and household needs, Parking & Safety voted to advance the matter to council. Moore noted that the requested space would be public handicap parking, meaning any vehicle with a valid placard or plate may use it.

Council members asked practical questions about curb cuts, whether the designated stall would align with driveway access and how the city would remove a space if it later proved unnecessary. A staff member said the resolution language allows the city to remove the parking space once it is deemed no longer needed, though there is no routine tickler system to re-evaluate placements.

Council debated access concerns raised by members who noted the proposed painted stall appeared centered in front of the house and not directly adjacent to the gravel driveway; staff explained by code the city cannot place a stall that would park across an active driveway curb cut. Council said the applicant's need for accessible parking outweighed neighborhood parking concerns.

Mr. Schaefer moved approval; Ms. Frazier seconded. Roll call votes recorded the measure as approved (yes votes from Ms. Griffith, Mr. Haynes, Mr. Hoffman, Ms. Frazier, Vice Mayor Schaefer and Mayor Carolyn K. Riggle). The resolution says the space remains until no longer needed and may be removed by the city.