Photo by Mark Webber | The Republic Hope celebrated Total Eclipse of the Hope through the weekend into Monday.
HOPE – Steps are being developed in an effort to protect new sidewalks that will be installed in Hope this summer, as well as existing walkways.
Since October, Hope has secured 50/50 matching grants for up to $100,000 for new sidewalks, Hope town manager Jason Eckart said.
But before the new concrete walkways are put in, Eckart said he wanted to discuss two issues with the five-member town council: Crossing a sidewalk with a car or truck over a driveway – and parking on or near a sidewalk.
Ordinances from several communities including Columbus, Franklin, Greenfield, and Edinburgh were studied and incorporated into proposals for the Hope Town Council to consider, Building and Zoning Administrator Kristina Nerz said.
Town attorney Scott Andrews will write the ordinance that could be presented to the council as early as next month’s meeting, Eckart said.
According to Nerz, some proposals involve parking in the public right of way, while others deal with restrictions regarding driving and parking on sidewalks, Nerz said.
But Eckart said one proposal may stir up a little controversy with local residents.
According to the town manager, the proposal currently states: No front yard area, other than a driveway, shall be used for the storage or parking of vehicles.
“That may have some backlash,” Eckart said. “But I don’t know of any other towns locally where people just park in their front yard.”
While most council members voiced support for the proposal, councilman Ed Johnson pointed out many Hope families will have outdoor activities and special occasions involving friends and relatives at their house after spring arrives.
Another council member, Herby Asher, suggested some flexibility during large community events such as Hope Heritage Days in late September.
But when ambiguous verbiage such as “temporary” was suggested, Asher said the ordinance needs to be more specific.
“Someone will say my car has been out there two weeks, but that’s just temporary,” the councilman said.
Speaking in agreement with Asher, Hope town marshal Matt Tallent said he’s seen drivers park their vehicles in a front yard, move them to the backyard, and then return the car or truck to the front to make it appear they are complying with existing ordinances.
Tallent says he’s also talked with some residents who regularly park in their yards who give him the excuse they were gone the day before, so now they have another 48 hours.
“People like to push the boundaries,” Tallent said.
After a lengthy discussion, there appeared to be a consensus among the council that revisions should state a vehicle cannot be parked in a yard for more than 48 hours over a one-week period.
Nerz says she also wants to address the problem of drivers who cross walkways and yards before parking their vehicle in the driveway.
“That can’t be too good for our sidewalks,” she said.
When the largest matching grant was announced in October, the plan was to place one sidewalk on the west side of Harrison Street, from Washington Street to Seminary Street. From that point, another sidewalk will run along Seminary Street west to Main Street (State Road 9). It will be linked to an existing a sidewalk that leads back to the town square.
The town also wants to eventually have sidewalks on both sides of Washington Street that will connect the Community Center of Hope with the town square.
More details on the ordinance will be released after the finished draft is presented to the council, Eckart said.
