BOARDMAN TRUSTEES Parking ban would ease narrow street problems

Some of the streets under consideration are 18 feet, 4 inches wide.
BOARDMAN -- Residents of the township's 24 narrowest streets will be invited to public hearings this spring as trustees consider a ban on parking that will make it easier for snowplows and emergency vehicles to pass through.
Cards have been sent to some 1,500 residents of the streets, which range in width from 18 feet, 4 inches, to 24 feet, 6 inches, notifying them that changes are being considered. Newer streets are about 48 feet wide, township roads superintendent Larry Wilson said. Township trustees agreed Monday to ask for public input before making a decision on whether to ban parking.
According to Wilson, emergency vehicles have encountered problems when answering calls on the narrow roads. Turning around is almost impossible, he said; the vehicles usually have to stop short of the actual residence to be able to leave safely.
"Sometimes they have to back down the street," Wilson said.
Hearings suggested
Trustees Chairman Elaine Mancini suggested that the six hearings be held an hour before regularly scheduled trustee meetings for the next few months, with four streets on the agenda at each meeting.
"I feel this is something people will want to talk about," Mancini said.
Trustees have two options, Wilson said: They can ban parking on the streets altogether or they can designate only one side of the street for parking. Both options can be unpopular, said Fire Chief James Dorman.
"It's a terrible issue," Dorman said. "But as far as we're concerned, it's safety first."
Boardman is considering prohibiting parking on these streets: Afton Street, Argyle Street, Arlene Avenue, Beechwod Drive, Buena Vista Street, Clifton Drive, Erskine Avenue, Ferncliff Street, Gertrude Avenue, Homestead Drive, Indianola Road, Leighton Avenue, Maple Drive, Meadowbrook Avenue, Melrose Avenue, Romaine Avenue, Sciota Avenue, Shadyside Drive, Stanton Avenue, Terrace Drive, Wilda Avenue, Willow Drive, Woodrow Avenue, Woodview Street.