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Residents tell council new-school drop-off is blocking driveways; council, chief say temporary measures are in place
Summary
A Fairport Harbor resident reported morning gridlock around the new school, saying drop-off lines reached Route 422 and blocked driveways. Council and the chief said they widened the roadway by eliminating parking as a temporary measure, deployed an SRO for traffic direction and will coordinate with school officials.
At the start of the meeting’s public-comment period, resident Debbie Argo of 426 New 4th Street told Fairport Harbor Village Council that traffic at the new school’s drop-off was causing severe congestion and safety concerns. "In 5 minutes, I counted 26 cars that dropped kids off," Argo said, and she described cars queued from Route 422 down to Vine Street and at least one driveway blocked during the morning drop-off.
Council acknowledged the problem and asked the police chief to respond. An official who addressed the council said the village widened the roadway by eliminating on-street parking as a temporary measure to create standing room for drop-offs until the old school site is removed and the intended parking lot is available. The official said an SRO is on-site directing traffic and that communication with the school district is ongoing.
Mayor (speaking as council leadership) said the village will stay in contact with the school and encouraged residents to call the police for urgent issues, stating: "Please call. Even if you feel like it, call 911 and we'll take appropriate action and we'll stay in touch with the school to make this as smooth as we can." Council also discussed temporary signage and planned messaging to parents.
The resident also noted afternoon issues and reported hearing of a 22-minute wait to drop a child. Council characterized the congestion as a short-term challenge tied to the school relocation and noted staff and enforcement steps are being taken; no formal policy change or ordinance was enacted at the meeting to change drop-off procedures.
Next steps: staff will continue coordination with the school district, the police department and the SRO to manage drop-off operations, and the village indicated it will post temporary signs and provide messaging to parents about blocking driveways and alternative drop-off areas.
