Article 43: Change Parking Configuration on Second Street

On petition of Norman R. Hurley and 25 or more registered voters, shall the Town vote to move the fire lane from the south side of Second Street to the north side of Second Street.

Background:  There are a maximum of three (3) on-street parking places on the north side of Second Street.  The property owners on the north side of the street have adequate off-street parking.

There is a maximum of seven (7) on-street parking places on the south side of Second Street.  The property owners on the south side of Second Street do not have adequate parking.  The Planning Board approved a subdivision on the south side of Second Street to allow two condominiums in one single-family dwelling and allowed parking in what is now the fire lane.

This Article would resolve a public safety issue that occurs when the residents of the condominium park in the fire lane, and vehicles also park on the north side of the street.

What it means: Second Street is a very short, narrow road that runs between Kings Highway and Ocean Blvd.  If vehicles park on both sides of the street, the remaining center passage is quite difficult to navigate.  There is a fire lane on the south side of the street where cars are not allowed to park in order to allow emergency response vehicles to access the homes on that street and to have room to turn around when necessary.  However, given the configuration of parking assigned to a nearby condo, people do park there for extended periods, causing a potential safety issue.  The police have been called, but the issue continues.

Those in favor say:  The petitioner (who lives on the north side of the street) has suggested that moving the fire lane to the north side of the street will allow those who live in the condo on the south side to have more room to park legally and would increase the likelihood that the fire lane would remain clear for everyone’s benefit.

Those against say:  There is no need to change to what has been working for residents for years.  The Fire Chief evaluated the situation and decided there was no need for a change now, but he agreed to take another look at the situation when the season begins and traffic in the area increases.

Fiscal Impact:  No tax impact.