At Monday evening’s Eureka Springs City Council meeting, alderman David Mitchell mentioned the Planning Commission had recommended striping to increase the number of spaces on Spring Street as far as Grotto Spring because a citizen pointed out residents in that area often cannot park near their own homes. He added that Benton was mentioned as another street where striping might create a few more parking spots near downtown.
Mitchell’s bigger issue, however, was the corner where Point abuts Washington St. He said the corner is so tight the fire department could not get larger equipment down Point St. to fight a structure fire. He said Fire Marshal Jimmy Kelley and Building Inspector Bobby Ray checked there when a new house was being planned down Point, and Kelley said it was not a suggestion, but a requirement to red curb 40 ft. either way where Point meets Washington before he would sign off of on the construction permit.
Public Works Director Dwayne Allen told Mitchell he had even bought a gallon of red paint for the curbs so fire trucks could enter Point from either direction on Washington, but held off because action from council dissipated.
Mitchell contended another fire on Point Street could become a serious problem, and moved to amend Ord. 1845 so that 60 ft. of Washington would get a red curb and there would be no parking for 154 ft. on Washington beginning with Summit St.
Alderman Terry McClung responded that he understood the purpose of Mitchell’s motion, but such a move sets a precedent whereby other neighborhood streets, and he listed several, would also be candidates for similar attention. He served as a fireman for 20 years and said it is part of the job to get to fires in these situations, and contended council cannot pick just one area.
Alderman Mickey Schneider said her recollection was council already dealt with this, but regardless she wanted council to finish the task.
Mitchell told her previous discussions must have turned to vapor and concerns just faded away. He was concerned the Building Inspector would give permits for construction of houses on streets where the city has such difficulty getting appropriate fire equipment to the scene, asking would this not make the city liable?
Alderman Bob Thomas moved to defer further discussion until they got Kelley, Ray and Fire Chief Nick Samac at the May 14 meeting. Vote to approve that motion was unanimous.