Worcester council postpones vote on no-parking zone near school
The Worcester City Council Tuesday did not vote on a proposal to test a 90-day, "no-parking-anytime zone" on the southwest side of Grafton Street between Enid Street and Roosevelt School.
A vote on the proposal was postponed until the next council meeting in January. Only seven councilors were present at Tuesday's meeting and the ordinance required eight votes, according to District 3 Councilor George Russell.
A proposal that asks the Traffic and Parking Committee to hold a public hearing for an ordinance that would make the zone permanent was also postponed until the next council meeting.
The proposal, brought forth by City Manager Eric D. Batista, seeks to establish a no-parking zone from Enid Street and extend to the main Roosevelt School entrance opposite of Pine Hill.
More parents are using their personal vehicles to pick up and drop off their kids at school, which has resulted in an increase in traffic congestion, instances of people parking unlawfully and increased safety risks for children walking or biking to school, according to a communication from Stephen Rolle, the commissioner of transportation and mobility.
To reduce such risks at the Roosevelt School, the administration proposed a trial of the "no-parking-anytime zone".
Russell, who is retiring as District 3 councilor, said he was encouraged by the administration for proposing the trial.
Roosevelt School and Grafton Street are both in Russell's district. The councilor said that during pick-up times at school, cars "pile up" from Roosevelt School to the Stop & Shop at 949 Grafton St.
"It's important to give it a try," Russell said.
The councilor then asked Batista who would enforce the no-parking zone if it went into effect.
Batista replied that the Worcester Police Department would be responsible for enforcement.
Additionally, Russell asked the administration for a future report to see if there is a way to lease additional parking spaces in the neighborhood to help ease congestion.
Councilor-at-Large Kathleen Toomey said she would like to hold conversations with property owners in the area to see if there is a way to utilize any extra parking.
The council will take up the proposal again on Jan. 13, according to the city clerk's office.
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