Oversized parking spaces in the Borough of Gettysburg will disappear after Oct. 8.
In July, the borough council approved a 90-day pilot program that set aside some spaces for large vehicles. Council members believe more busses are visiting downtown businesses since General Pickett’s Buffet on Steinwehr Avenue closed earlier this year. The busses are welcome, council members said, but idling on the street while passengers unload is causing traffic and safety concerns. The program passed 6-1 with Council President Wes Heyser in opposition.
During September’s council meeting, Parking Manager Becka Fissel asked council members to extend the program so she could gather more data. Fissel showed several pictures of recreational vehicles and buses parked in town.
Council members were not necessarily opposed to continuing to study the issue but were unsure if they had enough data to warrant making the oversized parking spaces permanent. All agreed that continuing the pilot program over the winter, when tourism is low, will not give them enough information.
Member input
Council Vice President Matt Moon said he has received a lot of negative comments about buses parking near residences. He believes the borough’s method of collecting data was poor since it did not show which spaces were being used but rather the total number of times vehicles used all of the spaces.
Another issue, Moon said, is many RVs are using the spots. Heyser said he does not believe the borough can dictate the type of oversized vehicle that can use the spaces.
“I don’t think anyone was trying to accomplish bringing RVs to downtown,” Heyser said.
Councilmember Patti Lawson agreed with the pilot program’s flaws but noted the council should continue to find a solution for idling busses. She said congestion is especially a problem on York Street because of a “restaurant that has a large seating capacity of 400-450.” Lawson did not name the restaurant, but Upper Crust is the only restaurant that fits her description. Lawson indicated her desire to support the restaurant while being mindful of congestion and safety.
Councilmember John Lawver, who said he was previously a bus driver, suggested allowing buses to park anywhere as long as the driver pays for each space they are using.
“It seems like we jumped the gun a little bit and tried to solve a problem we weren’t sure that we had,” he said.
Council will revisit the oversized parking issue in the spring, Heyser said.
Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.
If you want to attract people you need to either allow them to park or at lest put up signage directing them to where they can park. What about close to a rabbit parking lot ?