Cramped street creates problems for residents, city

Parking along Fran Lou Park Lane has become problematic for its residents and the city as it attempts to provide services to the neighborhood.

Residents say cars often line both sides of the street, blocking passage on the street and to mailboxes. Sometimes residents are forced to park several houses away from their own to find a spot.

In the past the city has been forced to use a backhoe rather than a plow truck to clear away snow because of the narrow width created by parked cars. Emergency services personnel have complained that navigating fire trucks along the street can be a challenge.

One recommendation from city staff is to only allow parking on the north side of the street.

Residents gave a negative review of the plan at Monday's City Council meeting. About 25 people attended the meeting at the city's invitation to discuss the issue.

"If you do this, it is going to be parking wars," Syd Ryerson said. "It will be neighbor pitted against neighbor."

Ryerson suggested removing mail boxes from along the north side of the street and creating central box locations at the entrance to the subdivision. This would free up parking spots, she said.

Council member Mike Shepard said he's seen the problems with restricting parking in Belgrade, where his son lives.

"There's literally been fist fights," he said. "I understand the problem with not enough space."

Resident Kirk Absalonson said he is able to put one car in his driveway in one in front of his home, but if he's forced to share that space he's not sure where he's going to park.

"If you're going to do this you're going to have to find another place for the cars," he said.

Council member Don Barnhart asked Absalonson how he felt about the difficulty faced by emergency vehicles.

"I understand public safety is an issue," he said. "The one day that a smoke alarm goes off that's one day, but there are 365 days of the year."

Fran Lou Park Lane is 32 feet wide, which is the same street width as in other subdivisions created in the early 2000s. However, the lane has a higher density at two units per 5,400 square feet compared to the others which are 1 unit for every 7,400 to 9,600 square feet.

"When you get this many homes on a street this narrow it creates a problem," said City Manager Bill Shaw.

Residents were peaceable when discussing the issue with city officials. Many offered alternative solutions that could assist both parties.

In addition to moving the mail boxes, one suggestion is to remove a gravel boulevard between the road and yards on the north side of the road, increasing the width of the street. Another was to rotate which sides of the street parking is allowed, while snow is being plowed.

The City Council seemed to agree that moving the mailboxes might provide relief.

Shaw said the city would likely have to purchase three central mailboxes for the street, which would cost about $3,600 plus installation.

"I think you spend more money to get the snow out of there," he said, because of being forced to use a backhoe or front loader for removal.

Council member Julie Plevel took exception to removing the boulevard.

"I'm reluctant to fill in the boulevard," she said. "That has been a protective area for pedestrians so I'm reluctant to get rid of it."

The council sent the suggestions back to city staff for review and to provide cost estimates. It also encouraged residents to continue looking for options to solve the problem.

The council also:

• Voted to approve the collective bargaining agreement between the City and the Columbia Falls Police officers association. The agreement approves 2 percent pay increase over the previous year and retroactive to July 1.

• Approved a preliminary plat application for a minor subdivision on First Avenue East and Eighth Street. The plat creates five lots on land that is vacant.

• Adopted a resolution that continues the city employee benefit plan with minor changes.