Politics & Government

Parking on Katonah Road Expanded for All Religious Services

Legislation to allow for on-street parking on Katonah's Valley Road during any religious service has been approved by the Bedford Town Board, the town confirmed. The change replaces a previous restriction that only allowed for parking on Sundays.

The town board voted unanimously to approve the change at its Tuesday meeting after a public hearing in which several people spoke was held, according to a video of the meeting.

The approval comes roughly a month after Patch received complaints about ticketing from police on Valley Road during a Saturday service at St. Mary, a nearby Catholic church.

At the meeting, Supervisor Lee Roberts said that in the past people were able to live together "in harmony." She felt that accommodations should be made for services but also said that people need to be respectful of residents trying to leave their driveways.

The changes affect the following portions of Valley Road: at Valley Edge, from Valley Edge to New Street and starting at the nearby Presbyterian Church's driveway and going east to Bedford Road.

One woman who spoke at the hearing felt that it is “a little worrisome” to open up traffic for Saturday night. She said that there are some areas that make for dangerous traffic on Sunday, with a section of Valley Road by Bedford Road being an example. The woman also highlighted a triangle by Valley Road as a concern, stating that the parking situation can result in cars being unable to get through. She also suggested that traffic patterns in the area be looked it, which Roberts agreed with.

One man who spoke at the hearing stated the priests want to work cooperatively and thanked the town for responding. Another man at the hearing, who identified himself as a former parish council president, replied that people St. Mary's want to work with the community and that they understand they have neighbors. He also noted that there is more traffic on Election Day and during rummage sales, not just for religious events.

Susan Gmuer, the religious education coordinator at St. Mary's, explained at the hearing that the church tries hard to keep traffic moving during education services. She also noted that first communions are not held in early May in order to avoid conflict with a Presbyterian church event, which in turn limits traffic impact.


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