Mount Gretna Borough discusses potential parking changes on Route 117

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

Mount Gretna Borough Council discussed parking safety along state Route 117 at its April 13 meeting and anticipates voting on potential changes in May or June.

Council is reviewing parking along the stretch of Route 117 from Gettysburg Avenue going west to the canoe storage near the tennis courts, where on-street parallel parking increases in summer. The review was prompted by safety concerns for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as emergency vehicle access.

Council president Deb Simpson said Mayor Kerry Royer requested a PennDOT representative walk the corridor and offer recommendations as part of the review and prior to any vote on changes.

A public bulletin distributed to residents detailed the following options under consideration: maintaining parking as is on both sides of Route 117, restricting parking to one side of 117, restricting parking on both sides of 117, or restricting parking in specific portions. Adding public parking on Pennsylvania Avenue from Lehigh Avenue west to Wesleyan Avenue is also under consideration.

Several residents spoke during public comment, all acknowledging ongoing safety issues surrounding summer parking.

“I would be in favor of parking on just one side of 117 if indeed that is a problem for our emergency vehicles when cars are parked on both sides,” said Elaine Feather.

Jigger Shop owner Kyle Seyfert said he believes something can be done to improve safety, but if parking spaces are removed on Route 117 they need to be allocated elsewhere. 

“I would just ask that we could prioritize our full-time residents over our visitors,” said Lynn Davies. “Even if we started with Pennsylvania Avenue, it may end up being all of Pennsylvania Avenue, and then Princeton, and then Harvard, and then Muhlenberg, and where is that going to stop?” Davies suggested Soldiers Field and Shay’s Field as solutions.

Off-street parking areas, such as the Soldiers Field lot owned by the Chautauqua, are not part of the review. “What we are redoing and discussing is strictly on the public streets, as within our jurisdiction,” said Simpson, adding that council has been in conversation with Chautauqua president John Weaver regarding parking safety.

At a Mount Gretna Organization of Organizations meeting held by the Arts Council to bring together groups hosting summer events, Simpson encouraged everyone to include parking information and maps in their event promotions and to emphasize the use of crosswalks.

In other business:

• Council approved a resolution establishing standards and procedures for on-street handicapped parking space applications.
• Council approved a request from Lebanon Bicycle Recycle to set up a mobile trailer on Chautauqua Drive on May 20 for donations of used bicycles and gear.
• A tree from state game lands fell on the borough building, causing damage to its roof and west wall. Public works director Bill Care said they are awaiting contractor repair estimates.
• Royer, who also serves as director of the Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show, reported receiving 540 applications for the show’s 200 spots. 
• Royer noted the Lebanon County Commission for Women named Jessica Kosoff to the Hall of Fame for science and technology in April. Kosoff is a Mount Gretna Authority member.
• Mount Gretna Fire Chief Travis Haak stressed the need for more volunteer firefighters, encouraging anyone interested to contact the station.

Mount Gretna Borough Council will meet next at 6 p.m. on May 11 in the firehall on Boulevard Avenue.