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Community Corner

Village Adopts New Parking Restrictions on Elm Street Area

Restrictions made in response to neighbor complaints.

The Board on Tuesday unanimously adopted new parking restrictions on Elm Street and surrounding roads in response to neighbors’ complaints of local business patrons leavings cars in front of their homes late into the night.

While there are a number of businesses in the area, the one neighbors raised concerns about the most is , a 2-year-old bar-catering hall at the former Polish Hall.

Anthony Gugliotta, who said he owns two houses on Elm Street, addressed the board Tuesday saying that he and his guests cannot park in front of his own home on weekends because the streets are filled with patrons of local businesses.

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Mayor Mark Epley said multiple complaints came into village hall and the police station on Tuesday about the parking situation, and he had invited police Capt. Thomas Cummings to the board meeting to give input on where and how to restrict parking.

Epley said that 230 Elm would have to follow the lead of neighboring businesses and use valets, who would take patrons cars to the nearby parking lot on Powell Avenue.

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230 Elm owner Tim Burke said that his parking lot can accommodate about 60 cars, and the new parking restrictions would “absolutely” hurt his business.

“I’m very empathetic with the situation in the neighborhood,” Burke said during an interview at 230 Elm following Tuesday’s village board meeting. “I’ve been here for two years, and I’ve gone overboard in being considerate with the impact.”

Burke said that at 6 a.m. after any event, his staff walks the streets to pick up any garbage that his patrons or patrons of other area businesses left behind the night before. He said he also keeps the sound down to acceptable levels during events and is adding curtains to muffle sound further. He also noted that he repainted the building, which he said was an eyesore in the neighborhood and is in the process of refurbishing it at great expense.

“If it wasn’t me, it could be someone else that doesn’t care,” Burke said. “I’ve got a history here for the past two years that should speak for itself.”

Burke further noted that he frequently hosts fund-raisers for community organizations at 230 Elm. “I have a great relationship with a lot of neighbors here,” he said.

New Parking Restrictions:

  • Elm Street west side, from Railroad Plaza south to John Street, no parking midnight to 6 a.m.
  • Elm Street east side, from Pulaski Street south to John Street, no parking midnight to 6 a.m.
  • Elm Street east side, from Powell Avenue south to Pulaski street, no parking all hours.
  • Pulaski Street south side, from Elm Street east for 300 feet, no parking all hours.
  • Pulaski street south side, from 300 feet east of Elm Street to North Wooley Street, no parking midnight to 6 a.m.
  • Pulaski Street north side, from Elm Street east to North Wooley Street, no parking midnight to 6 a.m.
  • Pulaski Avenue, from Elm Street west to Maple Street, two-hour parking, except no parking from midnight to 6 a.m.
  • Layton Avenue north side, from North Main Street east to Elm Street, no parking midnight to 6 a.m.
  • Layton Avenue south side, from Hildreth Street east to Elm Street, no parking midnight to 6 a.m.
  • Maple Street, both sides, from Railroad Plaza south to Layton Avenue, two-hour parking, except no parking from midnight to 6 a.m.

The parking restrictions were proposed and adopted all in one meeting. Village attorney Richard DePetris said a public hearing is not required for traffic code amendments and the new restrictions take effect immediately, but they are not enforceable until the village puts parking signs up.

Cummings suggested issuing placards to residents to display in their cars so they may park in front of their homes without receiving a ticket.

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