Residents along Ridgewood Avenue may soon have to watch where they park.

Gainesville Public Works officials are recommending at today's City Council work session that part of the street be closed to parking because of safety hazards.

As a result of a Traffic Operations Safety Review of Ridgewood Avenue study by city staff, the new ordinance would prohibit parking on both sides of Ridgewood Avenue
between Circle Drive and Wilshire Road.

"We received a complaint in regard to the vehicles parked on Ridgewood and asked our traffic engineer Dee Taylor to evaluate the situation," said Chris Rotalsky, assistant director of Public Works. "Based on the width of the street, on-street parking is not a viable condition there."

Public Works officials sent a letter about the ordinance to residents along the street, asking them to express interest or concerns at upcoming City Council meetings.

"If a driver is coming from either direction and a car is parked on the street, it forces the vehicle to cross the yellow line and (head) potentially into oncoming traffic," Rotalsky said.

"With the steep hill, there aren't many options for any other activity from a traffic control standpoint."

The new ordinance would fall under the Motor Vehicle and Traffic section of the city's code, and any fines or code enforcement measures would be handled by the Gainesville Police Department. It will go before the City Council as a first reading on Tuesday and see a final vote on Oct. 5.

At the work session this morning, city officials will also discuss Municipal Court operations, wrecker services and closing the downtown square for the 2010 Mule Camp Market in October.