Urbandale Council Approves Parking Restrictions Near New Hope Assembly of God Church

Parking near New Hope Assembly of God Church will be changing soon.

The Urbandale City Council approved new parking restrictions near the church at Tuesday's meeting.

The council approved restricting parking on either side of the church's entrance on the east side of 70th Street by a total of 156 feet. The restriction on the north side of Townsend Avenue would be a total of 229 feet from both sides of the entrance.

Both restrictions would only be in place on Wednesday evenings and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

The restrictions were first discussed as a way to improve sight distance when entering and exiting the church's new facility.

Herb Gawehn, who lives in the area, said if restrictions needed to be made, this was equitable.

Dave McKay, city engineer, said the additional restriction on Townsend was to accommodate a crosswalk in the area.

"We tried to look at the comments received from council about being less restrictive," McKay said.

Originally, the church requested to restrict the parking on both street 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

New Hope Pastor James Weaver said he was comfortable with the recommended restrictions.

"All I'm concerned about is safety," Weaver said.