Council discusses changes to downtown parking

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SIDNEY — Downtown parking regulations will be changing soon. Sidney City Council discussed some potential parking regulation changes in the downtown district during Monday’s meeting.

The nonprofit organization Sidney Alive has taken on the project by reviewing parking ordinances and time limits in the downtown district. The subject of regulation inconsistencies was originally discussed during a February workshop session.

Amy Breinich, executive director of Sidney Alive, has been working with Police Chief Will Balling to develop suggestions for council’s consideration. Breinich said she and Balling decided it was best to proceed in a “step by step process, as the downtown grows, and make changes as appropriate.”

The initial step, Breinich said, was to seek permission from council to work with the city manager and his staff to find solutions for public parking lighting and clear signage. She also encouraged downtown businesses and employees to legally park in the downtown district.

Downtown parking concerns involve a time conflict between city street sweepers and patrons parking in early morning hours. City officials don’t want to discourage downtown patronage because of parking restrictions, nor want people to drive, if intoxicated after visiting a downtown bar or restaurant, to avoid a parking ticket. Also, downtown apartment tenants often have limited parking close to their homes. Nighttime safety and carrying items long distances are concerns.

Knowing these issues, Breinich presented suggestions of potential changes for council’s consideration, and they were:

• Three-hour parking limits in the entire courtsquare business district, strictly enforced from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Increase the fine to $20, from $5;

• Post “No Parking” signs during listed street-sweeping times, which should alternate parking between opposite sides of street each day during street-sweeping times. These times should be when the district is not busy;

• Post way-finding signs and public parking lot signs. Improve lighting and landscaping aesthetics of these lots;

• Provide parking passes for apartment building residents with limited or no offstreet parking;

• Encourage shared parking lots between businesses.

Mayor Mike Barhorst asked if the way-finding signs would be similar to Bellefontaine’s signs and if they can be adjusted as businesses move in and out.

Breinich confirmed the signs suggested are like Bellefontaine’s and they can be changed as businesses change. She said the cost for four of these signs will be approximately $10,000. Some of the sign costs can be offset, she said, by selling portions of the sign to the corresponding business. She said the four signs will likely be located on the outside corners of the courthouse block.

Council member Steve Wagner asked why they cost $10,000. Breinich and Barhorst explained that they are a decent size so they can be seen from all directions and hold up to 20 directional signs.

Council member Darryl Thurber asked how large the individual sections will be. It was noted section sizes are better oriented for pedestrian traffic than vehicular traffic. However, a large “P” at the top of the sign will point to public parking locations.

Council member Ed Hamaker said the Bellefontaine signs look nice and make it easy to get around.

In other business, an Anna resident who owns eight acres of land on the edge of Sidney sought a variance to plant corn or beans until he can develop the land in a couple of years. He said when he purchased the land two years ago there were a lot of brush and tires there, but he has cleaned it up since. He said he was aware of the city’s grass height code and for cost and maintenance purposes would like to plant corn or beans since the land is not level enough to put down hay or alfalfa, as suggested. Although, he said he was told he could spray Round Up to keep weeds down, he felt it would look better for the city if he could plant corn or beans.

Barhorst said Community Services Director Barbara Dulworth would work with him to see what they could come up with.

Council member Janet Born thanked everyone for condolences during her recent time of need. She also spoke about a trash complaint she received from a disabled resident who didn’t understand why he was reprimanded for leaving his trash can out front, when his neighbors leave theirs out all week. Barhorst said the matter would be directed to someone for help.

Wagner spoke about the city’s feral cat problem. He said recently a sick cat captured during the trap-neuter-release program had to be put down. This cat, he said, was a part of a colony of feral cats. He said likely other members of this colony are sick also and something needs to be done about people feeding feral cats and other varmints.

Wagner also asked South Main Avenue was only repaved up to about 3-feet from the curbs. Larry Broughton, Sidney utilities director, said the outer 3-feet of road was still in pretty good condition, so it was a money-saving effort.

Sidney City Manager Mark Cundiff said the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) denied Sidney’s grant application for the reconstruction project on Russell Road from Main Avenue to St. Marys Avenue. According to Cundiff, Sidney had high competition as one of 26 applicants and was also denied because ODOT awarded funds to Sidney last year.

In addition, council moved into executive session to prepare for possible investment or expenditure of public funds to be made in connection with an economic development project, pending or imminent court action and the discipline of a public employee. There was no action taken when council emerged from the session.

By Sheryl Roadcap

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4823.

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