January 18, 2024 |
Photo – Chapel On The Plains church in Medicine Bow – Courtesy episcopalwy.org
Medicine Bow officials discussed ways to make the town safer by eliminating on-street parking on Pine Street.
Parishioners attending the Chapel on the Plains Episcopal Church in Medicine Bow, located at 220 Pine Street, across from the town’s community center, must park on the side of the road. Town officials said the vehicles cause issues with snow removal and create a dangerous chokepoint.
During the December 11th Medicine Bow town council meeting, Fire Chief Robert Maddox said the intersection of Pine and Birch Streets is difficult to navigate. Chief Maddox said the town needs to act in order to prevent people from getting hurt in that area of town.
Fire Chief Maddox asked the town to install a no parking sign along Pine Street. The fire chief said he has responded to too many serious accidents recently. Chief Maddox reminded people to wear their seatbelts and drive safely.
Mayor Justin George said the town will need to consult with the Chapel on the Plains to see how a parking ban on Pine Street will affect worshippers. Mayor George said the town must ensure it won’t be breaking any laws by eliminating on-street parking outside of the community center.
Mayor George said the council was unable to act on the matter until the following town council meeting.
At the January 8th Medicine Bow town council meeting, Mayor George brought up the parking ban on Pine Street for consideration. Public Works Director Brian Lashley said he briefly spoke with Chapel on the Plains Reverend Bobbie Fitzhugh about preventing people from parking out front of the church. Lashley said Reverend Fitzhugh asked that the ban only be in effect during the winter months.
Mayor George asked if plowing or preventing accidents was the main reason for the proposed parking ban. Fire Chief Maddox said eliminating on-street parking will limit the town’s liability in the event of a traffic collision.
Chief Maddox said banning parking during the winter will not reduce crashes outside of the church.
Councilman Trevor Strauch said the Chapel on the Plains will be hardest hit by a year-round parking ban. Councilman Strauch said the town should consult with Reverend Fitzhugh again before making a decision. The councilman agreed that the town should act to protect people traveling down Pine Street.
Mayor George asked the council to vote to table the matter until they could speak with Reverend Fitzhugh once more. Councilwoman Crystal Mayfield motioned and Councilman Straugh seconded. The motion passed.
The Medicine Bow town council will revisit the Pine Street parking ban at its next meeting on February 12th.
