Residents ask Harrison Township to rescind 1987 no-parking rule on Evergreen Drive; board will consider resolution next month

A group of Evergreen Drive residents urged the Harrison Township Board of Commissioners on May 27 to rescind a 1987 ordinance that prohibits on-street parking on their block, saying the restriction dates to a bar that once drew patrons to park on the street and in yards.

Katherine Shaffer of 125 Evergreen Drive presented a signed petition from a majority of the street’s homeowners asking the board to repeal the ordinance, saying the restriction was imposed when the neighborhood’s homes were built without driveways and the bar patrons created the problem. Residents Bill Gustufson (124 Evergreen Drive), Dennis Johns (117 Evergreen Drive) and Mike Hill (123 Evergreen Drive) told commissioners they and most neighbors want on-street parking restored and that only one current resident objects.

The request prompted questions about emergency access and roadway safety. Commissioner Bengel asked whether fire and emergency vehicles would be able to pass if parking were allowed; a resident said her letter included details of a fire several years ago and reported that fire apparatus were able to access the street without difficulty. Manager Amy Rockwell told commissioners that PennDOT had closed part of the road after a slide, which she said resulted from stormwater conditions PennDOT had not addressed.

Solicitor Monti advised the board that the correct procedural step is to place a change to the ordinance on a future agenda for formal consideration. Chairman Gary Meanor and Commissioner Bengel said drafting a response to PennDOT would be a sensible first step in what they characterized as a longer review and permitting process. The board agreed to add a resolution to next month’s agenda to modify the ordinance.

No formal vote on the ordinance change occurred at the May 27 meeting; the matter will return as a proposed resolution for the board’s next regular meeting.