On-street parking may change in neighborhood near student housing in Ferguson Township
Nearly a year after residents requested a parking study in the area of a new student housing complex, the Ferguson Township board of supervisors have some proposed changes in front of them.
The supervisors agreed in January 2021 to conduct a parking study on North Butz Street in Ferguson Township after residents expressed concerns about future overflow parking onto the street from the 6-story Aspen Heights student housing complex at the intersection of West College Avenue and Buckhout Street.
Dave Modricker, director of public works for the township, said during Tuesday’s board meeting that the parking study is complete and proposes more restrictive “no parking” areas.
Currently, two hour parking is allowed on both sides of North Butz Street, between West College Avenue and Grass Alley, and both sides of Butz Street, between West College Avenue and Calder Alley.
The proposed ordinance would amend an existing ordinance that outlines parking restrictions. It would be amended to include:
No parking anytime on the east side of Butz Street, between a point 50 feet south of West College Avenue and the northern terminus of Butz Street
No parking anytime on the west side of Butz Street, between a point 50 feet north of West College Avenue and Calder Alley
No parking anytime on the west side of Butz Street, between Grass Alley and the northern terminus of Butz Street.
A two hour parking limit every day on the west side of Butz Street, between a point 50 feet north of West College Avenue and Grass Alley
A two hour parking limit every day on the east side of Butz Street, between a point 50 feet south of West College Avenue and Calder Alley.
In the parking study, Ronald Seybert, township engineer, wrote the proposed changes will still allow for some on-street parking for residents and local businesses but will improve sight distance from private driveways while alleviating concerns of parked vehicles limiting the ability to enter Butz Street safely.
Before the board can vote on the proposed ordinance, a public hearing is required. The exact date of the public hearing is yet to be determined, but Jaymes Progar, assistant township manager, said it would be held during a regular township meeting. Meeting information is available online and agendas are also online at www.twp.ferguson.pa.us/minutes-and-agendas.
Ferguson resident Rhonda Stern has been advocating for some type of parking restriction in the neighborhood, citing safety concerns of allowing cars to park along both sides of the street. During Tuesday’s meeting, she thanked the township for their concerns and said she looked forward to the public hearing.
This story was originally published January 5, 2023 at 3:03 PM.
