The Oshkosh Common Council on Nov. 11 voted to remove on-street parking along a narrow block of Grand Street, after residents and council members raised safety and access concerns.

Residents from Grand and Pleasant streets described repeated problems with plow and emergency-vehicle access. Mark Burrow, who owns property at 552 Grand Street, said the street is too narrow for safe parking and that "plow trucks can't get through" and that ambulance and fire trucks "have problems too." Chris Steinke, of 520 Pleasant Street, showed council a video he said demonstrates a fire truck unable to pass and asked who would be liable "if emergency crews cannot get to pass to put out a house fire or worse, save a human life." Don Shettle, who lives at 548 Grand, described tight driveway clearances and limited snow-storage options that make private access difficult.

Council members weighed the hardship on affected homeowners against public-safety obligations. One member said the city must "balance the needs of the many versus the wants of a few" and described the removal of parking as necessary where emergency access is compromised. Another councilmember noted options such as variances or the possibility of working with staff on private-side solutions but agreed safety concerns were decisive.

Following discussion the council took a roll-call vote and adopted ordinance 25-575 to amend Oshkosh Municipal Code section 27-a-11, restricting parking on the identified block. Council members directed staff to work with the affected property owner to explore additional private-side options or mitigation where feasible.

The ordinance was presented by the Transportation Committee and approved following public comment and council deliberation. The action is intended to ensure unobstructed passage for emergency and maintenance vehicles on that stretch of Grand Street.