Alec Schaffer
Garfield street parking and traffic control modifications plan was the main topic of discussion and contention at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
Due to construction of a new high school on east Garfield near 30th Street and Boulder Drive, many citizens, residents and local businesses are concerned as to how the high school will effect traffic and parking on Garfield.
“I again look at this thing as a not very business friendly approach,” Councilor Joe Vitale said in regards to the plan presented by the Community Development Director Randy Hunt.
The plan for traffic and parking modification will decrease the existing number of parking spaces along Garfield from 178 to 73; however, 11 parking spaces could be added if bike lanes were removed.
The traffic modifications also call for additional traffic claiming measures, speed limit modifications and a four-way traffic light to be added. The cost of the traffic light is being funded by the school district and not the city of Laramie. This will save the city roughly $250,000, according to the plan.
Many council members said the plan is not friendly to the business located along Garfield east of 30th Street, as it will further limit both employees and customer parking and access.
Additionally, some councilors said the modifications were disrespectful to current residences that have relied on the existing parking stops.
“I think it’s really insensitive to the needs of our citizens who have depend on this parking for years and years,” Vitale said. “I hope we vote this down tonight.”
Other members of the council shared similar concerns. Councilor Joe Shumway worried the decrease in parking will prevent the school from hosting events.
“We would not be able to host the same magnitude of events,” Shumway said.
The motion failed with five opposed and two in favor, with two councilors absent.
In other news the council approved the transfer of a liquor license to the 307 Office of Coppers corner. Additionally an ordinance approving the franchise agreement for cable TV services between the City of Laramie, Albany County, Wyoming and Bresnan Communications, LLC locally known as Charter Communications was introduced. Also an ordinance approving the franchise agreement for natural gas services was introduced and a resolution was passed declaring a vacancy and appointing two members to the Traffic Commission for the City of Laramie.
