The Fall River Traffic Board met on June 26, 2019, to consider several curb cut requests and applications for designated on-street handicap parking spaces. The board quickly approved prior meeting minutes and, after hearing no general public input, reviewed three curb cut applications recommended by the engineering division: 257 Hrothgar Street, 115 Earl Street, and 2809 Highland Avenue. All three curb cuts were approved unanimously with notes that they would improve property access without causing significant adverse effects on street parking.
The board then addressed multiple handicap parking space requests, strictly adhering to municipal policy against granting street spaces to property owners who have driveway or off-street access, and denying spots for non-driving residents who sought reserved spaces solely for pick-up and drop-off. Requests by homeowners Mary Bird at 524 Durfee Street and Mary Isabel Machado at 930 Plymouth Avenue were denied due to available off-street parking. An application for Edgardo Rosado at 694 King Philip Street was denied because the applicant does not operate a vehicle. The application of Kathleen Banuelos at 82 Mason Street was tabled due to her absence, and an ongoing application from Harry Worsley for 99 Tremont Street was tabled again pending communication with the building inspector and landlord regarding lot parking compliance. Handicap parking applications were approved for Patricia Machado Tavares at 135 Arizona Street, Diane Rapoza at 136 Baker Street, and an applicant at 19 Garfield Street.
Topics discussed
- 1:14 · Curb Cut Requests — approved
Review and approval of curb cut requests at 257 Hrothgar Street, 115 Earl Street, and 2809 Highland Avenue based on engineering reviews. - 3:04 · Approve curb cut request for 115 Earl Street — approved
- 4:07 · Approve curb cut request for 2809 Highland Avenue — approved
- 6:32 · Deny handicap parking application for Edgardo Rosado at 694 King Philip Street — denied
- 6:32 · Table handicap parking application for Harry Worsley at 99 Tremont Street — tabled
- 6:32 · Approve handicap parking application for 19 Garfield Street — approved
- 10:01 · Approve handicap parking application for Patricia Machado Tavares at 135 Arizona Street — approved
- 10:07 · Handicap Parking Space Rules and Process — denied
Explanation of the municipal rules regarding designated handicap spaces being open to any legal placard holder and the 6-8 week timeline through City Council approval. - 11:10 · Deny handicap parking application for Mary Isabel Machado at 930 Plymouth Avenue — denied
- 20:06 · Table handicap parking application for Kathleen Banuelos at 82 Mason Street — tabled
- 24:06 · Multi-Unit Property Parking Compliance at 99 Tremont Street — approved
Discussion regarding whether a private multi-family building owner must provide accessible tenant parking rather than relying on on-street city spaces. - 26:19 · Handicap Parking Applications — approved
Review of individual handicap parking applications on municipal streets across Fall River. - 31:28 · Adjourn the meeting — approved