Middletown aldermen deem Sunday-only handicap parking near Grace Espro Church impractical

Middletown aldermen discussed and ultimately let a request die in committee to convert a nearby on-street space into a Sunday-only handicapped parking spot for Grace Espro Church.

The request, brought forward by Alderman Alman Green, was prompted by parishioners who said the church's two existing handicapped spaces are insufficient for congregants who use canes and walkers. The commissioner who canvassed the area told the committee that parishioners were "parking across the street ... wherever they can find a spot" and proposed converting the regular space adjacent to the two designated spaces to handicapped use on Sundays during services.

The proposal did not move forward. Members and staff raised several practical and safety concerns that they said made a time-limited on-street designation infeasible. Town staff and members cited a Department of Transportation requirement for a 20-foot sight line between the crosswalk and the first parking space to ensure drivers can see pedestrians; they also noted that existing on-street markings in the area are white rather than the standard blue for accessible spaces, which can reduce visibility. "When we redid the on-street parking several years ago, we discovered that...we had to bring it all back and change it," the parking enforcement chief said, adding that ad hoc use of cones or signs near churches has historically expanded without code updates.

Committee members also worried that a Sunday-only restriction would be confusing for drivers, difficult to enforce, and could set a precedent for similar requests elsewhere on North Street, where members said there are several high-turnover business parking spots and upcoming new businesses. One member framed the change as "opening Pandora's box," and several members said they opposed imposing a temporary, on-street restriction that could create enforcement and signage problems.

Alderman Green said he had promised parishioners he would bring the request before the committee but acknowledged the concerns raised about feasibility and enforcement. Staff recommended bringing back a diagram and measurements showing curb distance and existing markings if the committee wanted to revisit the idea.

A member moved to dismiss the item, but the measure did not proceed for lack of a formal mover and second, and the item "died in committee." The meeting proceeded to other business and adjourned.

What happens next: staff said they could provide a curb-diagram and measurements on request; there was no formal vote or directive to prepare an ordinance or change signage at this meeting.