Traffic Ordinance Amendment Approved For Indian Harbor Drive

GREENWICH, CT — The Board of Selectmen last week unanimously approved an amendment to the traffic ordinance that would enhance safety and visibility for homeowners leaving their driveways along a stretch of road on Indian Harbor Drive.

The amendment allows for the shifting of on-street parking from the east side to the west side of Indian Harbor Drive between Museum Drive and Orchard Place. The roadway will also be widened and a new sidewalk will be installed.

"Currently the road is about 26-28 feet in width," said Deputy Commissioner of Greenwich Public Works Jim Michel. "Once you have a car parked there, you don't really have two safe travel lanes, and we actually create a little bit of a more unsafe condition than what we currently have."

Parking on the east side of the roadway limits sight distance for those exiting their driveways. Michel said as part of doing everyday operations about a year-and-a-half ago, the department received a complaint about sight distances from homeowners along Indian Harbor Drive.

"By doing this, it allows all those vehicles to come out of those driveways and not have cars parked right where they're pulling out of their driveways which opens up the visibility for them. In addition, it gives them approximately 10 more parking space equivalents [on the other side of the street]." Michel said the spots should help with overflow parking from Bruce Park if there's a big event at the playground.

First Selectman Fred Camillo asked if residents in the area had been notified about the possible amendment and construction associated with the roadway widening. Michel said DPW distributed information via mail "several weeks ago."

Selectperson Jill Oberlander had concerns that perhaps people were away on vacation or getting ready to go back to school, and missed the notification. However, the Board unanimously approved the traffic ordinance amendment.

Michel said the parking change won't go into effect until construction on the roadway is complete.

"We're looking to try and do this construction this fall," Michel said.