By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — The Olean Common Council will consider a weekday parking ban on North 12th Street in response to ongoing traffic backups.
During Tuesday night’s meeting, aldermen acknowledged traffic flow problems on the street — often linked to parents dropping off or picking up students at Washington West Elementary School.
Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr., I-Ward 6 and Council President John Crawford, D-Ward 5, have both fielded complaints from constituents over North 12th Street traffic congestion when school is opening and at dismissal.
After an earlier proposal for a North 12th Street parking ban was turned down by the council, Robinson, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, earlier won approval to place no parking here to corner signs near Washington Street. The signs help some, but are widely ignored for drop-off and pick-up of students, Robinson added.
Crawford said North 12th Street is “very busy” and traffic challenges remain.
The earlier proposal, years ago, for a parking ban the length of North 12th Street did not take into account the number of residents who require off-street parking, Crawford said.
At Robinson’s suggestion, the aldermen agreed to propose a parking ban between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Crawford said.
Robinson said he suggested those hours because they are average work hours, and so residents “could park on the street after work.” He said the plan would eliminate congestion and solve problems.
When Mayor Bill Aiello asked whether the proposed parking ban would stretch from West State to Wayne Street, Robinson said he would be open to limiting it to the 200 block of North 12th Street.
Ward 1 Alderman Lawrence Bennion Jr., said he has noted most traffic problems are in the 200 block of North 12th, while there are intermittent problems in the 100 and 300 blocks. He asked about no parking on one side of the street.
Crawford said there is currently staggered one side of the street parking. From Wayne to West State Street, there is no parking on the right hand side of the street in the 300 block and 100 block. The 200 block allows parking on the right side of the street.
Robinson said there was “no hurry” to make a decision on North 12wth Street parking. He suggested the council and residents take some time to think about it.
Aiello said he thought the council would get feedback from residents when they find out about the proposed parking plan — whatever it is.
Crawford suggested the council vote on a resolution during its Jan. 28 meeting.
