Council approves temporary use of 30 residential parking spaces for Franklin Street Social, directs one-way plan for Locust Lane

Red Lion Borough Council on Feb. 10 approved a six-month temporary allocation of 30 residential parking spaces to be used by the Franklin Street Social food hall and directed staff to draft ordinances to implement signage and traffic changes on Locust Lane.

Councilmember Tony Musso proposed making Locust Lane one-way (westbound between Franklin and Neff) and installing No Parking signs; the motion to temporarily allocate the 30 spaces—moved by Mrs. Barley and seconded by Mr. Holloway—carried. Borough Manager Michelle Poole said the applicable ordinance requires 194 residential spaces, of which 154 are currently in use, leaving 40 spare spaces; the developer, Jordan Ilyes, offered to gate off 30 of those for the food hall’s temporary commercial use.

Nearby residents voiced concerns about driveway blocking and additional wear on W. Maple Street. Resident John Leonard said visitors “park the entire way down Locust Lane” and sometimes block driveways and asked whether W. Maple Street could be repaved. Erica Gemmill supported the one-way plan but urged clear signage, including “No U-Turn” and “No Outlet,” and said enforcement by PSP will require an ordinance. Solicitor Samantha Craley said staff will take measurements for sight triangles and that she will draft the ordinance language.

Developer Jordan Ilyes apologized to neighbors and said his goal was to bring a community amenity: “his intention was never to inconvenience anyone, but to bring a good thing to the Borough,” he said. Council agreed to revisit the temporary parking allocation in August 2025 and to pursue the signage and ordinance work before then.