Council approves Cedar Avenue one-way but delays implementation until occupancy

The Scranton City Council on June 15 adopted an amended ordinance designating the 3100 block of Cedar Avenue as one-way southbound, but the change will not take effect until the developer secures a certificate of occupancy.

Council members said they supported keeping the street changes in place to address future traffic patterns while responding to neighborhood concerns that the signs and patterns could create unnecessary disruption during construction. Several residents urged the council to wait for completion of the development and for permanent traffic controls to be installed rather than enforcing one-way traffic during the construction phase.

Resident John Polches, of the Minooka neighborhood, told the council he had reviewed a Riley Associates traffic study and asked that the one-way and other restrictive signage be held until the developer receives a certificate of occupancy so residents would not be subject to premature traffic changes. "So, what we would ask the council to do is if you could hold this legislation ... and hold off on the establishment of the one-way and all the signage until the developer builds the apartments and receives his certificate of occupancy," Polches said.

Councilmembers proposed and approved a friendly amendment to add language delaying posting and required signage until issuance of the certificate of occupancy. The amended ordinance passed unanimously on a roll-call vote: Dr. Rothschild — yes; Shawn McAndrew — yes; Mark McAndrew — yes; Flynn — yes; Schuster — yes.

The action resolves the immediate question about traffic control timing; city staff will coordinate signage and enforcement once the developer obtains the certificate of occupancy and the new occupancy triggers the one-way designation.