Why Parking Will Be Restricted to One Side of the Street
Posted May 11, 2010
By Mac McBride, Chairman of the DINA Parks and Recreation Committee
The 1993 Daniel Island Master Plan specified parking on only one side of the street. This was done to conform with the typical parking rules outlined by the Planning Department for Charleston City streets. Signs were never put up, and we lived with a less than desirable situation until now. The streets on DI are typically 22 feet wide—if cars are parked on both sides, they take up 14 feet, leaving only 8 feet for vehicle traffic between them. Even if both parked vehicles are properly parked and not oversized, the 8 feet remaining is not adequate for garbage trucks, delivery vans, moving vans, boat trailers, and emergency vehicles. The latter vehicles are of major concern if they are ever needed and have to back up or re-route to get to the emergency.
In addition, when cars are parked on the mailbox side of the street, it makes it difficult for safe mail delivery and sometimes results in mail not being delivered. It is felt that restricting parking to one side will still provide adequate on-street parking with added safety for bikers, children, etc. Based on all of this information, the proposal was discussed at a DINA meeting, and the support was overwhelming in favor of persuing the policy. We then contacted the developer and met with Jimmy Bailey, representing the Property Owners Association, to get their input. They stated that they have felt this change was long overdue and agree to work with DINA to get the City to implement the policy.
If there are exceptions or valid reasons that the policy should not be implemented on a particular street, we will listen to the neighbors on that street. If you and a majority of your neighbors agree, we will arrange for you to meet with the City Traffic and Transportation representatives so you can make your case for an exception.
Please let me know if you would like to discuss this further. Please contact Mac McBride, Chairman of the DINA Parks and Recreation Committee, at 849-1185.