WARSAW — Concerns expressed by residents in Park Ridge Subdivision, over street parking in certain areas, were brought to the Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 7. The concerns were tabled pending further research.

Aaron Gaff, president of the Park Ridge Home Owners Association, and Michal Piwonski, also with the association, presented the concerns. Gaff stated these parking concerns have been expressed during past association meetings, with a couple residents being vocal on the issue.

He explained the two areas are: Park Ridge Drive near the crest of a hill where residents of the home near the playground frequently have cars parked, blocking the view of oncoming cars from the curve; and near the intersection of Nuthatch Drive where Park Ridge Drive curves into Highland Drive. Here, he stated multiple cars are frequently parked on the east side of the street between the first two homes, blocking view of any oncoming traffic from the curve.

The two men proposed consideration of creating no parking zones in those areas, lowering the 30 mile per hour speed limit to 25 mph and potentially moving the speed limit sign further back at the entrance. Another proposal is posting reflective Children At Play signs near the playground.

Questioned were raised by Lt. Kip Shuter, commission chairman, on if the men were making the request for themselves or on behalf of the association? And if there had been resolution of a similar request two years earlier, but was withdrawn to be handled internally.

Piwonski stated they are the “face of the association,” but no vote has ever been taken on the matter. Gaff added, “In my opinion there has been enough concern brought to the association’s attention, it is in the best interest” to bring the matter before the commission.” Gaff additionally stated there is no documentation regarding street parking and it is unclear if the association itself could make such requests.

The commission will look at the association’s covenant to see what it states. James Emans, city engineer, said he designed the subdivision. The homes at the entrance were not planned, nor a playground. He added on street parking was not anticipated. “The plans were designed to the city’s standard at the time.”

It was pointed out the street is 28-feet wide from curb to curb, which should allow parking on one side only. However there are areas where parking is occurring on both sides.

During other business:

• The Market Street project should be completed in four to six weeks, with short term closings of cross streets this week. The section between Bronson and Lindberg is open. When final surfacing takes place there will be limited closure.
• Some improvement to traffic flow at Parker Street/Husky Trail and US 30 has occurred since the installation of a SmartBox by the Indiana Department of Transportation. The signal timing has been increased from 80 seconds to 100 seconds. Shuter said that intersection now controls timing at all lights on US 30 in the city. “If you hit one light green, you should make the rest of the lights green at normal speeds.”
• INDOT will be working with GPS companies not to show Market Street as SR 15 and posting signs prohibiting large trucks from turning left.
• Some discussion was held regarding solutions to vehicles blocking the intersection by those making left turns from Market onto Detroit.
• It was noted signage on Detroit Street and US 30 prohibiting no jake braking is not allowed by INDOT as that type of breaking is a safety feature.
• A request was shared regarding prohibiting parking of semitrucks in the Richards Restaurant and McDonald area on Commerce Drive. It was noted it was private property and nothing the city could do.

The next regular scheduled meeting is 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4.