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Middleton approves no-parking on Mound Drive after residents object to excess signage
Summary
After years of neighborhood requests, the Middleton Common Council unanimously approved an ordinance banning parking on Mound Drive and Mound Court; residents praised the safety move but urged the city to reduce the number and height of recently installed signposts.
The Middleton Common Council on Aug. 19 voted unanimously to amend municipal code section 15.042 to prohibit parking on both sides of Mound Drive and Mound Court, following public comments from residents who said the change is needed for safety and to protect neighborhood character.
Resident Rita Gahagan, who said she lives at 6402 Mound Drive, told the council the move comes ahead of nearby construction and would ensure emergency vehicles can pass. "We wanted it to start ... because we didn't want construction vehicles or worker vehicles parked on the street," she said, adding that the neighborhood has no sidewalks or curbs and is a close-knit community that wants to preserve its feel.
Rob Nuri, who said he takes care of a local effigy mound and identified himself as a past president of the Wisconsin Archaeological Society, said he supports the no-parking designation but criticized the number and placement of signposts already installed. "The street itself is 18 feet wide," Nuri said, arguing that an excess of 10-foot signposts "is littering" and detracts from the street's character.
Public Works Director Ben (first name given in the record) told the council that the department used standard 10-foot poles and placed signs with enforcement visibility in mind. "When staff are deciding the number and location, it's also wanting to take into account ability for enforcement," he said, adding staff remain "open to suggestions." The mayor asked the city attorney and public works staff to review whether any signposts were unnecessary from an enforcement standpoint and to coordinate with the police department.
Councilmembers repeatedly framed the ordinance as a long-standing neighborhood request and cited emergency-access concerns. After brief council discussion and a motion to suspend the rules, the ordinance was approved by voice vote.
The council and staff did not specify a plan or timeline in the meeting for removing or reducing existing signposts; both residents and staff said they would pursue follow-up conversations about the signs. The ordinance takes effect per the city's standard adoption process.
The council moved next to other business and later convened in closed session to consult legal counsel on pending claims.
