Crime & Safety

Homeowner Complains to Ross Commissioners About Proposal to Ban Parking

Ross police have recommended the ban to end years of disputes on Fairley Road.

The Ross Township Board of Commissioners introduced a resolution Monday night to ban parking on the entire length of Fairley Road, after hearing from one resident who is vehemently opposed to it.

Pamela Heck, who lives at 100 Fairley Road, asked the Ross commissioners on Oct. 1 to make the entire road a no-parking zone, because of an ongoing dispute with a neighbor who she said had been parking a large, white van directly in front of her mailbox.

Complaints about Bill Ansell's vehicles from other neighbors prompted the Ross commissioners to extend the no parking zone along Fairley road in August. 

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Ansell's brother, Robert, who owns the home in which his brother lives on Fairley Road, was highly critical of the idea.

"I think that's unfair to every resident up there," he told the board Monday night. "My property can only support two cars in the driveway, if you put no parking on the entire street, where is everybody going to park if they come to visit somebody? I don't think the township wants people parking in their yards, cause that's about what we'd be in the position to do." 

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Commissioner Peter A. Ferraro said at the board's Nov. 7 meeting that after years of disputes in the neighborhood, a no-parking ban may be the only way to solve the problems.

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"In their report, police indicate they have responded to 49 parking complaints and two crashes," he said. "I think this is one of the best resolutions to the problem, and the last thing we can do."

Ansell blamed the problem on another property owner who extended their driveway, making the street too narrow. 

"You have tried a number of solutions, but why don't you do the right thing and have the people put their driveway back to where it's supposed to be, widen the street to what it's supposed to be," he said. "I think there's a better solution to this than making the entire street no parking."

Police Chief Robert Bellan told the board at their Nov. 7 meeting that other residents of Fairley Road understand why the ban is necessary.

"The corrections that the board did earlier this year solved one neighbors problem but have made just a horrible situation for another neighbor." he said. "The neighbors understand this, they've made arrangements with Eden Christian Academy, which is located nearby, that when they have visitors over or parties at the house, Eden is allowing them to use their parking lot."

Ansell accused the commissioners of being unfair to everyone.

"They've changed this no parking three times on this thing and we've done exactly what you've wanted. You move the no parking signs, we move the vehicles outside of the no parking area, you're not happy with that. What would make you guys happy?" he asked.

"There are definitely two sides to that conversation," said board President Grant Montgomery. "This was directed by the police department and based on the feedback we've gotten, and the direction we've been giving, we're going to move to introduce it tonight."

"What you're basically doing is screwing the people up there," Ansell responded.

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