Under the changes, some new handicapped parking spaces will be added and some older ones no longer being used will be eliminated.
By Donald Wittkowski
Sea Isle City motorists should be on the lookout for some new one-way streets and handicapped parking spots starting this winter.
City Council approved the changes by a 4-0 vote Tuesday after listening to a brief overview of the traffic regulations by Solicitor Paul Baldini.
According to Baldini, the changes are more of a “housekeeping” type than a major overhaul of the traffic and parking rules. The changes were made at the recommendation of the police department.
Parking shortages and traffic flow are two major issues during the summer, when Sea Isle swells into a bustling vacation resort crowded with tens of thousands of tourists. City officials are looking for ways to improve traffic flow on narrow and congested streets during the peak summer vacation season.
Most significantly, three cross streets that currently handle traffic in both directions will become one-way routes. They include 40th Street between Central and Cini avenues, 51st Street between Central and Landis avenues and 52nd Street between Central and Landis avenues.
Under the changes, some new handicapped parking spaces will be added and some older ones no longer being used will be eliminated.
The traffic regulations have also been tweaked by Council to add new 15-minute parking zones on parts of Landis Avenue and Park Road.
The new one-way streets and parking changes are contained in a traffic ordinance given Council’s final approval Tuesday. By law, the changes can take effect 20 days after the ordinance is passed. Baldini, however, said the city will first erect signs to help motorists get used to the changes before they are enforced.
