By AMBER SOUTH
@ShipNewsGirl
Shippensburg Borough Council is reconsidering a recent decision to eliminate some parking on East Fort Street.
A number of people have come forward in opposition of an ordinance council adopted last month that eliminates parking spaces on both sides of the street between North Prince and North Washington steets; south side from North Washington Street east approximately 164 feet; north side from North Washington Street east approximately 248 feet; and the north side between High and Queen streets.
Parking prohibition on both sides of East Fort Street for the entire distance between North Prince and Washington streets replaces two separate no-parking areas previously designated between those streets on the south side of East Fort Street.
Parking had not been prohibited at all east of North Washington Street.
Mike Adler, a Carlisle man who is the manager of properties on the 300 block of East Fort Street, told council Tuesday the new regulations have created a “hardship” for tenants.
He estimated after the meeting that, of 86 tenants, there are not parking spaces for 32 of them in a provided offstreet lot. It has been council’s understanding that enough offstreet parking was available.
Council first considered the new regulations in February on the basis that snow plows and trash trucks did not have enough space to work on the street. Borough Manager Earl Parshall noted Tuesday that the issue was most significant after snow buildup that caused drivers to park their vehicles farther away from the edge of the road, therefore leaving less width in the traffic area.
Adler shared a Pennsylvania State University study about appropriate width of streets in small towns, like Shippensburg. According to that, he said, there should be 9 to 12 feet of traffic space.
The width of the traffic space on East Fort Street is 13 feet, Adler said.
“If a plow truck can’t get through there, I’m confused,” he said.
Councilman Joe Hockersmith said he has concerns about the parking regulations. Though they were made with good intentions, council should take another look at their need, he said.
“There could be an argument for doing the whole street but to leave one block, one section out of that makes no sense,” Hockersmith said.
Council discussed applying the no-parking regulations to a snow emergency plan, meaning parking would not be permitted when a snow emergency is called. The transportation committee, with Adler, are to investigate the issue farther.