New Parking Restrictions Ahead for Bailey Neighborhood

A dramatic change in the rules regarding street parking in the Bailey neighborhood this summer will reduce the available parking spaces by 350, leaving approximately 450 remaining.

The City Council has unanimously approved new “traffic control orders” (TCOs) to switch most streets in the Bailey area to one-side-only parking. The reason for the change is improved access for emergency vehicles on narrow residential streets.

The move represents a pilot study aimed at seeing what could happen in other near-university neighborhoods if on-street parking becomes more restricted.

A map of the pilot area shows the “allowed” side alternating every block in green with the "no parking" side in red. Department of Public Works Director Scott House referred to the alternating-block approach as a “traffic calming” strategy. (For a larger version of the map, click here.)

City staff has recommended that signage for the new rules should not be installed until after Michigan State University's graduation, so that there can be a learning period for the new regulations during the summer months. Signs will be flagged for greater visibility and there will be a grace period where drivers will be notified of the violation without receiving a ticket, so that the adjustment period can be as smooth as possible.

Mayor Pro Tem Erik Altmann referred to the change as “really scary” but said that it is what Council had asked for and that it shouldn’t second guess itself. He said feedback from community members and public service departments should be considered as new guidelines are implemented.

The Bailey neighborhood was selected as a pilot area for parking guidelines recommended by city staff because there were few parking restrictions currently in effect in that neighborhood.

ELi reported in January on Council's discussions of changing on-street parking rules. The details of the new traffic control order can be viewed here.