City to restrict parking on four-block stretch of Heylman Street

The City of Fort Scott, starting Feb. 15, will put up no parking signs on the west side of Heylman Street from Second to Sixth streets to provide a safer traffic flow on the road.

A resident asked the city to check out traffic flow on that stretch of road because the resident claimed there's insufficient width for approaching vehicles when cars are parked on both sides of the street, according to a letter that was sent out Tuesday to Heylman residents, informing them of the change.

Public Works Director Eric Bailey and Public Safety Director Jeff Davis both observed the problem and confirmed that, indeed, there's not enough room for two vehicles to get through when vehicles are parked on both sides.

According to the city's standard traffic ordinance, the chief of police is authorized to erect no parking signs on one side of the street when the roadway doesn't exceed 30 feet in width. In fact, the width of Heylman Street is 26 feet.

To free up room, parking will not be allowed on the west side of Heylman Street.

The issue came up at Tuesday's commission meeting, when interim City Manager Bob Farmer said he was contacted by the concerned resident through e-mail.