Richmond advisory panel defers changes to East Cochran Road parking until spring

Members of the Richmond Parking Advisory Council discussed roadside parking between the Wooki River bridge and Edmunds Bridge at their Sept. 9 meeting, but they agreed to delay any changes until spring.

The group debated whether the existing “no parking” sign near Edmunds Bridge is placed where the town’s traffic ordinance intends and whether roping or a short-term 15-minute drop-off zone should be added. A committee member said the sign currently sits closer to the bridge than the ordinance specifies and recommended moving it closer to Duckberry Road so its placement matches the ordinance.

Town staff capacity shaped the discussion. Committee members reported that Pete, who handles signs and mowing, has limited crew availability; he told members he is short-staffed because local contractors are hiring workers away. The committee concluded that moving the sign requires Pete to do the physical work but does not demand an ordinance change.

Members praised recent fog-line striping, saying it has improved safe roadside parking and allowed vehicles to park more consistently and closer to the road shoulder. Several members also noted that whether the nearby land trust opens a former lot for parking will affect demand and whether ropes or drop-off signage are worth installing.

The council did not vote. Instead it placed the item on the spring agenda and asked staff to be prepared to discuss site plans, exact sign placement and whether temporary roping or a 15-minute drop-off sign would be needed if the land trust opens parking.