Town, Residents Seek Solutions To Safety On Popular Cut-Through Road

GREENWICH, CT — Due to safety concerns, the town's Parking Services Department is looking to restrict parking along a stretch of Mallard Drive, a popular cut-through near Greenwich High School to and from the downtown area, but some residents want speeding to be addressed first and foremost.

Parking Services Director and Greenwich Deputy Police Chief Kraig Gray went before the Board of Selectmen last week to present proposals to prohibit parking on Mallard Drive, and also on Weaver Street.

"Parking services as well as the police department have received numerous complaints regarding parking safety in those areas. These complaints were corroborated by our officers' observations," Gray said, noting a "detailed" traffic study was conducted at both locations by the Greenwich Department of Public Works.

Mallard Drive

Field measurements at a 500-foot portion on Mallard Drive, from Overlook Drive to the southwest end of the horizontal curve, found the roadway does not have sufficient space for on-street parallel parking on either side, according to documents associated with the agenda item.

Therefore, DPW recommended that on-street parking be prohibited along both sides of Mallard Drive from Overlook Drive continuing west to a CLP pole at the west end of the horizontal curve.

A March notification letter to area residents said Parking Services received three separate but related complaints about parking issues on the northernmost curve on Mallard Drive, and the proposal to prohibit parking is supported by the traffic section of the Greenwich Police Department and Greenwich Parking Services.

Following Gray's brief remarks, several residents spoke against the proposal, and instead called for speed calming measures to be put in place.

Mallard Drive resident Lauren Mencoff, who lives on the curve, said she has talked about speeding concerns on Mallard Drive for several years, but her pleas for solutions have gone unanswered.

She noted that past speed studies on the roadway were conducted during construction, and the results should not be considered valid because traffic was slowed down.

"It's important to address the evolving dynamics of our neighborhood. Homes in this area are being built up, and we're witnessing a turnover with many young families moving in, drawn to the proximity of town and community environment. These families expect and deserve safe streets," Mencoff said.

"The proposed restrictions on parking along this curve not only jeopardize our safety, but also impact our community life. How are we supposed to host friends, and have our children have playdates, getting in and out of the cars on Mallard Drive, whether it's at the curve or not at the curve because the speed issue is still not being addressed?"

Mencoff said parking along the curve slows down traffic, and if there can't be enforcement for speeding, the parking should be allowed as a "natural calming measure."

Maria Genovese, a Mallard Drive resident, said she supports the ability to park on the street because it slows cars.

"With GPS and Waze, Mallard is a great cut-through, and we understand that. People in a rush will always speed, so let's find a way to remind them they have to slow down a bit."

Sarah Collins, who lives on nearby Widgeon Way, said if parked cars on the curve slow down speeders, she supports leaving them.

"The more parkers the better," she said, recommending the addition of a stop sign at the intersection of Wigeon Way on Mallard Drive.

"I think that would help the situation and bring more safety to our neighborhood," she said.

Joan Stewart, a 57-year resident of Mallard Drive, said she didn't believe parking should be allowed anywhere on the road.

"However, if there has to be a middle-ground decision, then the logical place for parking is only on one side of the street after the curve heading toward Anderson," she said.

Gray noted that the potential changes on Mallard Drive would likely cause a "ripple effect" to parking on nearby streets, and Parking Services plans on looking at making modifications to the resident parking permit guidelines on those streets at a later date.

Weaver Street

Due to sightline issues because of parked cars, Parking Services is seeking to add a 50-foot "No Parking" area on the western side of Weaver Street north of No. 60.

Paul Terreri, of Weaver Street, spoke in favor of the proposal. He said many commercial vehicles park along the street to the left of his driveway, and therefore residents in the immediate area can't see oncoming vehicles.

"It's just become untenable and very dangerous," Terreri said. "We're putting our lives in our hands to kind of pull out of our own driveway."

The board did not take any action on the two proposals since this was a first-read.