SURPRISING STUFF

The No Parking on North Street had been in the works and looked like it was about to pass, until the most recent city council meeting. All the different committees and commissions have recommended approval. Once the city council had the final approval on its agenda and the discussion began, opposition was apparent. Alderperson Hoiland made the council aware of the non-existent parking policy in the city and by approving the North Street changes a policy was coincidentally being made. Alderperson Frame piped in with more policy and procedure concerns and the absence of a traffic study.

The portion of North Street is only a block and has a small number of residents on this street that are being affected. This portion of North Street does get backed up during school drop-off and pick-up times. It will potentially become much busier during the upcoming Highway 50 project as traffic will be rerouted. The handful of cars that park on the street does hinder traffic from moving smoothly as it is a narrow roadway. Is a traffic study necessary and is the cost of the study a valid approach for such a small change?

Alderperson Yager is concerned that the change needs to be approved without being bogged down with more steps and more money. The council did a lot of back and forth. The council voted on the amendment made to send it back to public works and it failed. The council then voted on the original amendment to approve the no parking on North Street between Madison and Warren Streets and the change was approved.

Place of the Week

The Hive located at 755 Main Street Lake Geneva carries a collection of handmade and hand-selected merchandise from funny to absolutely amazing.