Town Manager John Hozey updated Town Council Thursday about the current status of changing the parking pattern on Mason Avenue. As a note, larger vehicles, such as trucks will be banned from parking on Mason Avenue.
The traffic engineering firm has told the town that there are two basic options. First, they can submit a design change to VDOT to have the reverse-angle spaces converted to front-in parking.
The second option is to go with perpendicular 90 degree parking.
The advantage of using perpendicular parking is that it is basically a slam dunk. Nothing has to be submitted to VDOT-the town can move ahead right now and change the parking pattern.
During the discussion, Councilmen Follmer and Grossman came out against perpendicular parking, and apparently, since no other members commented, the notion was put to bed. The town will continue to move forward submitting a design change to VDOT for the conversion to front-in parking.
In last week’s Mirror, the top story involved evaluating whether or not golf carts pose a safety risk to the riders. While the Mirror was accused of trying to stir the pot, it should be noted that we don’t stir until the pot is boiling. That is, after several years and over 50 conversations or so, we will look into what many in town have concerns about.
That story led us to an odd epiphany. While never being a fan of reverse-angle parking, when evaluating golf cart traffic safety, it seems VDOT may have been correct in choosing this type of parking design.
It creates many more potential parking spaces, but it also creates a traffic boondoggle anytime someone has to make a two-point maneuver into one of the spaces. There is congestion with the initial stopping and backing maneuver. In reality, the residual effect is an overall slowing of vehicular traffic. Due to the oddness of the parking scheme, it seems everyone, especially visitors, drives just a little bit slower as they move down Front street. The Adams-Morgan area of Washington DC implemented reverse-angle parking to achieve these effects, which so far have proven effective there.
It took looking at another problem to actually see the design and what was practically intended in the first place.
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Ban parking all together on Mason Avenue. Foot traffic, horses/mules/donkeys/goat carts and wheel chairs only. Make Mason Avenue safe again. Get those lazy beach bums walking. Just like wearing a mask outside, it’s healthy and for their own good.
Why can’t we just change the angle of the line so we can pull in forward instead of reverse? Wouldn’t that be very simple?
Dear Town of Cape Charles:
I told you so😝
No matter how many facts you present, you can’t fix stupid.
This all lands squarely on the town manager.
Wonder how long he is going to last?
We told them all.
If you pull in forward the you can’t see traffic when reversing out—greater chance for an accident.
You still have to back out of the spot the way they are proposing it. You could definitely see better if your car is on an angle.
What more dangerous then the way people back into a spot now. Have you ever watched that fiasco?
We all know women can…NOT back up a motor driven anything.
As a Shore native, who returns home to visit several times a year, I find the back in parking poor. The one suggestion to forbid any parking is not thought out. Being handicapped, I just would not bother to return to Cape Charles to visit or shop since I could not park near my destination. Old fashioned parallel parking for both sides of the street is the best solution.
I personally don’t like the reverse parking therefore I don’t go to shop in Cape Charles. But I would if the town would make life easier for us senior citizens.
Well then go to Virginia Beach to shop.. If it’s all about you….They have plenty of pay to park spots and more crime/traffic/BLM events enjoy…!
Wayne, please stop cloning assholes in the basement.
We have more than enough around here, thanks.
End quote.
We should concentrate on getting all the boats, trailers, abandon cars and campers from parking on the streets of our town. Isn’t there an ordinance against that?