Residents in Johnson Street neighborhood speak out against one-way proposal

A resident’s suggestion earlier this year to convert Johnson Street in Hillsboro to a one-way street was met with criticism Thursday, Aug. 17, with Hillsboro City Council members conducting a  public hearing before hearing the first reading of an ordinance for the potential change.

As previously reported, during the citizens’ comments portion of the May 11 council meeting, Hillsboro resident and former council member Brian Waller presented packets he created for a proposal to convert Johnson Street to a one-way street.

Waller said his proposal was prompted by the city’s recent work on curb and gutter improvements on the street. He thanked the city for making those improvements but said that they have also caused some issues. According to Waller, the street improvements have eliminated some parking spaces on the street or restricted access to the rear of the some of the properties.

Street and safety committee chair Adam Wilkin said in July that his committee voted to move forward with reviewing the proposal with the full council and hosting a public hearing, based on their discussions with residents at a June 27 meeting.

“There are a couple of reasons this could be a good idea,” Wilkin said last month. “One-way traffic will allow for on-street parking for the residents and allow for the city to maintain and treat the street easier during the winter months.

“There is a dangerous intersection at the south end of Johnson Street where it connects to state Route 73. A one way heading from south to north, terminating on East Walnut Street, will eliminate this issue, only allowing traffic to pull onto Johnson Street from 73, but not allowing traffic to enter onto 73 from the south end of Johnson Street.”

The ordinance was introduced during Thursday night’s council meeting, with no action taken. It is proposed to “establish Johnson Street as a one-way thoroughfare traveling only northbound.”

At least 14 individuals attended the hearing from Johnson Street and the surrounding neighborhood, with many speaking out against the proposal.

Clarence Martin, who was the first to address council, argued that the change will “cause more traffic” on the surrounding streets and will lead to “an increase in accidents and speeding. He asked the city “why they think it’s a good idea.”

Norman Neuberger III said he had been parking on Johnson Street “for 40 years,” and that the curb/gutter project removed his parking spot. “That's my only complaint,” he said.

Marva Captain pointed out that there wasn’t an issue with the street until the improvement project. “I think it’s just going to be a big problem if you make it a one-way,” she said.

Noah Young agreed, saying there isn’t “a reason to make it a one-way street.”

Emily Foster asked the city to look at the intersection of state Route 73 and Johnson Street, particularly if the one-way street proposal is approved.

“I want to know, if you do the one-way, what can you do to make that intersection safer?” Foster asked, suggesting possibly making it “a three-way stop” with a stop sign on state Route 73.

Chuck Aurigema distributed photos and said his issue is with the narrowness of the streets in that area, making it nearly impossible for him to haul trailers in that neighborhood as part of his business. He indicated that the one-way proposal would further complicate matters.

James Mills agreed that the narrow streets are an issue and that if cars are parked on both sides of the street, hauling a trailer would be impossible. He said it would also be a logistical issue for people living on Johnson Street to travel one way to get to their homes. “I don’t see anything that proves to me this is necessary,” he said.
 
Debra Fryman said she didn’t “have a problem” with the one-way proposal but suggested installing “some rumble strips on 73 to slow people down” at the intersection with Johnson Street or implementing more policing in the area.

“A lot of people don't want to go through the five-way light, and when they hit Johnson Street, they floor it and take up that street,” she said. “I don’t have an issue with it being one way. You’ve just got to do something to make that turn safer.”

Mark Puckett agreed with the concerns raised by Fryman and Aurigema and called the proposal “unnecessary.”

Another resident, who did not identify herself, said that she “personally would like more parking” but realized she was “in the minority.” She said she “liked the idea” of the one-way street.

In response to questions about the reasons for the proposal, council president Tom Eichinger explained that the original concern was regarding on-street parking.

“One of the issues that was raised, for the city to even look at this, was in order to allow parking on the street, you almost have to make it one way because the street is narrow enough with the curbs and gutters,” Eichinger said. “Even though we've got a good sewer out there now, it would be impossible to have cars parked on both sides of the street and still allow traffic to flow. Those were the issues.”

Eichinger also asked street and safety committee member Jo Sanborn to speak about their discussions.

“People that had come to our meetings said that it was very narrow, so that they didn't see a problem for it being one way,” she said.

Martin said that “a lot of the streets in town don’t even have parking” and asked “why is this a big deal all of a sudden to make it one way?” Puckett added that “there is alley access” on much of the street and “no reason why people can’t park back there.”

“So everybody’s OK with no more parking on Johnson?” public works superintendent Shawn Adkins asked.

“Yes,” Martin said.

In response to several citizens complaining about the city’s proposal, Adkins pointed out that the idea came from residents, not from the city.

“Look at how many people are here against it,” Martin said.

Eichinger told those in attendance that the proposed legislation would have its first reading Thursday, with a vote, if council so chooses, scheduled for the October meeting.

“I think that further conversations will need to be had, based on this input,” Eichinger said.

Eichinger also told the citizens in attendance that they were welcome to reach out to the city with any “additional input” in the coming months.

“I appreciate everyone coming tonight and stating their views,” he said.

For more from Thursday’s council meeting, see the stories at:

https://highlandcountypress.com/proposed-salaries-city-officials-debate…

and

https://highlandcountypress.com/hillsboro-business-owners-criticize-pro…