Council hits rewind on Summit Avenue parking ban

The Newcastle City Council has decided to reconsider the parking ban in front of Little Ones Childcare after concerns were raised by at least one individual who attends church in the area.
 
On Dec. 5, the Newcastle City Council made a portion of South Summit Avenue a no-parking zone after day care owner Amanda Dixon told the council that large vans that were parked on the street restricted the view, creating possible safety issues while parents are loading and unloading children in their family cars. 
 
But on Jan. 17, the council asked the streets committee to discuss various alternative options, including leaving the area a no-parking zone, limiting the ban on parking during business hours or designating one access to the day care’s parking area as an exit and one as an entrance. 
 
“He (the church-goer who was unnamed) is concerned about the fact that we (the church) need that part of the block that is the no-parking zone,” Councilman Tyrel Owens said, noting that the person in question is a member of one of the churches in the area. “He is curious if we can make it no parking during business hours and open on the weekend.” 
 
Mayor Pam Gualtieri added that there has been discussion among city officials to make one of the day care’s lot entrances strictly an entrance point and the other an exit to eliminate the risk of a blocked view when turning onto the street. City works supervisor Greg Stumpff noted that this option would control the flow of traffic and alleviate safety concerns. 
 
Councilman Don Steveson suggested that, instead of making a decision immediately, the city’s street committee review the options and bring a recommendation to the council.
 
“I would hate to switch it and have someone else come back and not like it,” he said. 
 
Owens supported Steveson’s suggestion, noting that the council had made the no-parking decision in the spirit of public safety without weighing the other factors. 
 
“They are going to need some parking,” Councilwoman Ann McColley said of the church. 
 
Steveson interjected that parking is an issue faced by all the churches in Newcastle and that he would like to see the options discussed further before a decision is made. 
 
The streets, alley and building committee of  Daren Downs, John Butts and Tom Voss will investigate the issue and potential solutions and bring a recommendation to the council at its Feb. 6 meeting.