Main Street parking lot debated

[Cranbury Press]

Main Street parking lot debated
Thursday, November 13, 2008 3:53 PM EST
By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer

CRANBURY — A proposal to remove a Main Street parking space remains unresolved nearly a year after it was first brought to the township’s attention.

The request was made in December by dentist Stuart Alexander, who was directed to do so by the Middlesex County Planning Board, which oversees property developments on county roads, as a condition for opening his dental practice at 19 N. Main St.

The space in front of Dr. Alexander’s practice on the west side of Main Street — county road Route 535 — is even with a driveway that runs along his building to a nine-space parking lot.

Dr. Alexander told the Township Committee on Monday that the parking space created a safety issue. Cars can only make right turns out of the lot, a condition imposed by the county, but the Main Street parking space still obstructs drivers’ view, forcing them to pull into the street to see traffic heading south.

He also said the spot created a potential risk to pedestrians and bikers on the sidewalk, because cars turning into the driveway might not see them.
”The issue is an issue of safety — it’s pretty clear cut,” Dr. Alexander said.

Committeeman Richard Stannard said conditions at Dr. Alexander’s practice were similar to other driveways on Main Street and that removing a parking space could set a precedent for this type of request. That would exacerbate downtown parking issues, he said.

”We have the potential to lose more spaces,” Mr. Stannard said. “It’s no worse at the doctor’s than any other.”

Dietrich Wahlers, a resident in the audience, disagreed.

”I’d like to see data on that,” he said. “At four o’ clock I drive through town and one-third of the spaces are filled. There is no problem.”

Frank Marlowe, another resident, said removing the space could affect neighboring businesses, including The Blue Rooster Bakery and Cafe and A.S. Cole Son and Co. Funeral Home.

”There’s quite a cost to others,” he said. “The town was built before there were cars. The compromises are endless. Most (driveways) would not meet modern standards.”

Committeemen Wayne Wittman and Tom Panconi said the space posed a safety hazard that needed to be addressed. They said that the driveway is less than a block from Cranbury School and the municipal building making an incident more likely and that the parking space was closer to the driveway when compared to other Main Street properties. They proposed limiting parking hours for the space.

Mayor David Stout recommended that township officials speak to the county’s traffic and planning consultants to get a better understanding of their concerns.

http://www.packetonline.com/articles/2008/11/13/cranbury_press/news/doc491c900dc5c7c601548749.txt

[Guest]

He is an "in town" business that wants to do away with on the street parking. Not sure what this dentist is trying to accomplish. Perhaps there is an underlying cause called the Blue Rooster?

Anyway:
1 - For safety reason, that is why when someone pulls out they should make a right.
2 - Main street is a slow 25 MPH.
3 - I've never heard of a business trying to get rid of parking.

[Guest]

According to the article, this was the countys idea. The Blue rooster is not involved.

[Guest]

Why would the town want to keep a dangerous spot?

[Guest]

"Perhaps there is an underlying cause called the Blue Rooster"

[Guest]

Seems like the parking issue will rear it ugly head again in the Nov 10th township meeting.

Anyone have an idea of the scope of the talk?
Will it cover removing on the street parking?

[Guest]

As soon as you remove one spot you have to do it for others with similar situations. In addition, the spot was not dangerous until the Doctor put in a driveway. Prior to that there was no blind spot. As such I would place the responsability on the doctor to make the situation workable and take accountability. This issue was not caused by the town. Frankly, I'd tell the doctor to either make it right turn only, or to not use it. If you create a problem, it is not for others to solve it for you.

[Guest]

according to the article, you can only make a right turn

[Guest]

If that is true, he has taken responsibility. Ultimately though, if there is an accident who is responsible? The dentist the town or the county?

[Guest]

Probably all of them.

[Guest]

It should not come to that. As a parent , I just say remove the space. Better to be safe then sorry.

[Guest]

All this over one parking spot? Maybe it can reduce our COAH responsability.

[Guest]

My position is that the right turn is sufficient and that represents no issue nor impact to the town. Problem solved. However, that is apparently insufficient for him.

Why do we have to solve issues that people create because of their own convenience? I could understand if the lot and driveway were there first. In that case he would have a valid point. However, the spot was there when he added his driveway. So he has the responsability for a work around, not the town.

He didn't need the lot behind his practice for private parking. He chose to put it in. Now he complains because turning left represents a safety problem that he created. So he wants the town to remove a spot that is public parking. What about personal responsnability?

I'd agree to remove it if he opened his lot to public parking.

If there is an accident than it is the fault of the driver pulling out and that is where the liability exists just as in anyone else pulling out of their driveway.

[Guest]

You sound angry. Did he pull your tooth?

I don't think any business except the PNC Bank allows public parking on private property.
Cranbury should encourage new businesses to create safe off street parking.
How was this approved if it was unsafe?

[Guest]

I'm just tired of the lack of personal responsability in society. That people make decisions that benefit them and then when a problem arises look for others to solve it. I actually had trouble parking today in the rain. It's not personal, just tiring. Cats represent a small rabies risk, let's force people to license cats. We bought a house we can't afford, the government should bail us out. I put in a driveway and now realize there's a blindspot. It's inconvenient to make it right turn only, so the town should remove a spot so I can turn left and right even though my driveway came later.

You're right on PNC. But, no other business is asking for a spot to be removed. If you want a spot removed, then offer to use your lot to replace it. Just don't take. We need to support businesses and provide parking for those businesses.

The planning board approved the driveway because the doctor made statements that it was valid. Now, he wants a change.

[Guest]

Thats the nicest driveway in town. Does anyone know who did the work?