Street parking restrictions in place for some areas in northeast Newton

Two sets of streets were approved for restricted parking due to safety reasons. Newton City Council authorized the changes to street parking for the 800 block of East 14th Street North and the 1400-1500 blocks of North Ninth Avenue Place East during its April 7 meeting. Most residents agreed with the changes.

According to city documents, officials received safety concerns from citizens for both streets. For the 800 block of East 14th Street North, the complaints targeted vehicles being parked on both sides of the street, making it too narrow to allow the current parking capacity and consistently allow free and safe passage.

Emergency vehicles may not be able to travel through this area when reporting to calls, the city reasoned, and there is a heightened risk of motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents as a result of the current parking design. As a result, the city council moved ahead and restricted parking on the east side of the street.

Out of the 14 surveys sent to adjacent property owners, five were returned to the city. All five of the responses agreed with the recommended changes. Many had even thanked the city for the proposed changes, saying the high volume of parked cars along the street had always been a concern.

“About time,” one resident said. “So tired of trying to squeeze by or be forced to drive around the block just to get to the other side.”

For the 1400-1500 blocks of North Ninth Avenue Place East, similar complaints had been collected. Again, the city noted the safety risk of having too many cars parking on both sides of the street. It was ultimately recommended by the Newton Traffic Safety Committee that parking be restricted on the south side.

Out of the 22 surveys sent to adjacent property owners along North Ninth Avenue Place East from East 14th Street North to East 16th Street North, eight were returned. Six residents agreed with the changes while two opposed them. One of the residents who opposed the idea had asked the north side be restricted.

Those who agreed with the changes felt it was needed, because many times it was difficult to travel through street with cars on either side.

“Amen!” one resident said. “I cannot believe it has ever been OK to park on both sides of Newton streets.”