Springdale opts for parking restrictions as new football field nears completion

Springdale Council voted in favor of a parking ordinance that is set to place restrictions on some streets near Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School.

The vote comes as Allegheny Valley School District continues construction of a new turf field that’s set to host Dynamos football games near the school this fall.

Parking will be prohibited on the cemetery side of School Street, the south side of Butler Street and both sides of Marion Avenue between James and School streets under the ordinance.

Parking will be restricted to residents, via permits, on Chester, Logan, Ross, Highland and Pearl streets; the 500 and 600 blocks of James Street; and sections of School and Orchard streets.

The vote, which passed 5-1, went forward despite some resistance from residents who live on the restricted streets. Council had tabled a vote on the ordinance last month amid some community backlash.

Jeffrey Hartz was the lone dissenting vote, and Dan Copeland was not present for the meeting.

Councilman Joe Kern said he had mixed feelings about the restrictions, but he felt the ordinance would serve as an “insurance policy” for residents in case of parking disruptions during large events at the field.

Outside of game days, Kern doesn’t expect Springdale Police to enforce the restrictions unless residents have complaints.

Though council passed the ordinance, Terry Carcella, borough manager, said officials were still working out plans for how to implement it.

He said any affected residents would receive notices for how to acquire permits before police would begin enforcing the new restrictions.

“(Council) wanted to make sure they had this in place to protect the residents,” Carcella said.

Jan Zastawniak, Allegheny Valley’s director of public relations, previously said the district is discussing the addition of bleachers to the new turf field as well as an additional ADA-compliant parking lot.

But with “so much unknown,” Carcella said, the borough might not have to implement the restrictions at all if the district provides enough nearby parking for events at the new field.