Cottage Grove trustees approve no-parking signs on Bus Road after emergency-access debate

The Cottage Grove Village Board on June 15 approved adding 'No Parking' signage to the southern portion of Bus Road in the Shady Grove subdivision after a lengthy debate weighing pedestrian safety against ensuring unimpeded emergency access.

Kyla, a village staff member who presented the item, said fire, EMS and police recommended the restriction after photos and field checks showed vehicles blocking the corridor. Trustee Severson moved the restriction; Trustee Buenzo seconded. Trustees then debated the trade-offs: Trustee Chris argued that removing on-street parking would widen perceived lane widths, increase speeds and reduce pedestrian safety, citing research on speed increases when lane widths are enlarged. Several trustees and public works members responded that the roadway geometry and an existing bike path and sidewalks mean removing parking is the safer approach to preserve emergency access.

Public works had earlier approved the plan 5–1 and the village’s ambulance and police chiefs urged the board to ban parking to avoid situations in which a parked contractor vehicle blocked access. Chief Lang said that the development’s right-in/right-out configuration makes Bus Road the most direct response route for the department. Chief Gary and other public-safety staff confirmed they had found instances where vehicles impeded emergency movement.

The board approved the motion with a friendly amendment directing public works to study additional traffic-calming measures for the corridor and for staff to review whether the village’s recently adopted parking ordinance needs amendment to address boulevard/median sections. The motion carried after roll-call voices noted in the record; the minutes will record the formal vote tally.