BPWS tells neighborhood to work out parking issues

​After consideration of both sides of the issue, members of the Terre Haute Board of Public Works and Safety not only denied a request to remove parking along one side of Cottrell Lane in Sugar Grove Estates subdivision, but also urged the quarelling neighbors to work out their problems with one another.

Residents from several households within the southside subdivision, located just off Wallace Avenue -- as well as City Councilman Earl Elliott (Dist.2) -- were in attendence at the meeting this afternoon in City Hall.  Elliott said he was speaking out against the request for the many who could not personally attend the meeting due to their work schedules.

Elliott came prepared to the meeting with a petition signed by 23 people opposing any imposed parking restrictions in the subdivision. He noted that many of the alleged parking headaches are temporary --- as when residents host get togethers for viewing popular tv shows such as "The Walking Dead" or for family gatherings and while receiving services such as landscaping.

"Let's understand restricted parking would be a hardship to homes where parking on the side of the street is prohibited," Elliott said, adding that weather conditions, visitors with young children or many other issues, would be challenging. He explained it would adversely affect 17 households if the board passed it.

BPWS member Bob All immediately recused himself before speaking in favor of the measure and from the board vote, as he is the newest resident on the block and one that has not seen eye- to -eye with the neighbors who've lived there a much longer period of time. He said the request was an attempt  to mitigate the effects of congestion on the narrow roadway when all other efforts have failed, including speaking directly with the neighbors on several occasions. He also noted that the road is just 2- feet short of meeting the city's no parking code altogether.

"Navigating through there is not an easy task," All said, noting that the homes have garages and driveways to accomodate several vehicles. "When a car parks on the street, you have basically limited that lane of traffic."

One long-time resident alleged his family has been threatened and harassed for parking -related troubles in the neighborhood.  Another resident said she was worried the cars would be forced to parked around, and even in her yard, where she watches her young great-grandchild at the home without sidewalks and curbs.

James Brown has lived in the subdivision for more than 20 years. He said he worries about the justification of the request, noting other subdivisions have similar issues.

"It would have a dramatic effect to the residents," Brown said, adding, "Don't put the responsiblilty on the majority because one or two can't maneuver their vehicle correctly." 

After lengthy discussion, member Cary Sparks motioned against the no parking request, with President Jon Stinson and member Jim Trimble also voting "no." Member Roland Shelton was not present.

​In other business:

The board approved the following requests:
Agreement between City of Terre Haute and IUPA Local #133 civilian support staff
Addendum – Humane Shelter agreement
 Change Order #5 – Pedestrian signal modernization project 

The board tables a request from Cross-Roads-Events to Host the Heart Throb 6K Run for the YMCA.