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South Spring Street residents urge council to revisit winter parking restrictions
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Summary
Two South Spring Street residents told council that newly posted winter parking restrictions leave them without long‑used street parking for months, creating safety, lighting and accessibility concerns; council referred the matter back to the streets committee for review and a recommendation by the next council meeting.
At the March 2 Bellefonte Borough Council meeting, residents Travis O'Neil and Mara O'Neil urged council to reconsider newly posted winter parking restrictions on South Spring Street that prohibit parking on one side of the street from November through April.
Travis O'Neil described losing a long‑used parking spot and having to walk up to 10–12 minutes from alternative lots, raising concerns about safety, poor lighting and lack of sidewalks where he has been forced to park. "I feel like my family's not wanted, because I'm being pushed out of my own street," O'Neil told the council, noting he and his wife are expecting their first child and worried about winter‑time walks with a child seat.
Mara O'Neil said other borough streets have similar winter restrictions and suggested a temporary snow‑ban model that flips allowable parking sides only during and immediately after storms rather than for six months of the year. Residents asked for clearer communication and advance notice when temporary restrictions are necessary.
Council said the streets committee — chaired by councilor Brackbill — initially recommended the restriction and agreed to reexamine the segment; the chair was asked to present a recommendation at the next council meeting. No formal policy change was made that night; council invited the residents to provide additional inputs to the streets committee.
