City council adjusts Union Street parking

Home City News City council adjusts Union Street parking

Parallel parking is now available only on the east side of Union Street instead of the west side, thanks to a traffic control order approved by the Hillsdale City Council during its Monday meeting.

The order affects the portion of Union Street located between Barber Drive and College Street, which gives access to several local residences as well as the Hillsdale College Biermann Athletic Center and the Suites Dormitory.

According to Hillsdale Police Chief Scott Hepner, the need to revisit the parking designations arose after Union Street residents voiced their concern about the safety of pedestrians and drivers under the current parking system, especially since large busses are often parked on the street.

“If a problem arises, or a safety concern, we are obligated to do what we can to improve on that or remove the issue,” he said.

According to Union Street resident Marion Griffiths, vehicles parked on the west side of the road obstructed driver’s view of the stop sign at the intersection of Union and College streets, imperiling pedestrians who cross the road at the intersection. Visibility from private driveways was also an issue.

Marion and her husband, David Griffiths, also said the traffic control order does not fully resolve the problem of bus parking.

“The real issue is not on which side of the street should we park the busses, but rather, whether the busses belong on the street or not,” David Griffiths said. “The street is somewhat narrower because busses are parked the full length of the street, there is increased vehicle traffic because we have a major event, many of those drivers are new — they’re looking for the event, they’re trying to find a place to park, they’re not really focusing — and it can be after dark,” Marion Griffiths said. “Then, a distracted student, texting, walks out between two busses into the street. We have seen too many close calls.”

After hearing residents’ concerns, the council unanimously passed the traffic control order and a resolution requesting the Hillsdale City Planning Commission to investigate bus parking in the area. Based on the study findings, the commission will then recommend the appropriate zoning for street parking.

For now, the traffic control order will alleviate the safety risk by providing drivers with a clear view of the stop sign at Union and College streets.

“I’m not saying this is the absolute perfect plan, but it is our job to improve it,” Hepner said.

“At this time, this is what I’ve been able to come up with, and this is what I recommend,” he added.

In other business, the council approved the lot division of Hillsdale Church of Nazarene for sale to Hillsdale College. The council also approved resolutions to label two abandoned houses on North West Street as public nuisances.