By Paula Pyzik Scott
A joint public meeting including representatives from Ada-Liberty EMS, Liberty Township, the Village of Ada and two residents who live on N. Gilbert St. was held on December 19 to discuss the anticipated impact of ambulance traffic on the street when a new ambulance bay becomes operational.
The meeting was chaired by Ada council member Jason Campbell who began proceedings with the comment that he is part of an LLC that owns properties directly across Gilbert from the EMS station.
The discussion centered on street parking and whether signs or lights would be needed to alert pedestrian and vehicle traffic of EMS runs.
EMS Chief Tom Miller provided information on the process that resulted in the decision to build a new ambulance bay and remodel the existing 1984 EMS building to provide sleeping quarters for crew members.
There are currently two EMS staffers at the station from 12 noon to midnight. Sleeping quarters are needed for crew members who do not live close enough to Ada to respond quickly to calls after midnight.
Miller explained that recent updates to state regulations for sleeping quarters put construction for a 2-bedroom addition at an estimated cost of $700K. The EMS board approved the lower-cost option of putting sleeping quarters in the existing building. He also noted that regulations require no parking immediately across from the ambulance bay, which impacts a JCampbell Rentals LLC property and residents who do not have off-street parking.
Village of Ada Administrator Jamie Hall reviewed the process of the construction permit application, noting that the building materials were delivered to the site before a corrected site plan had been submitted to the Zoning Inspector. He also noted that the Village has no role in approving the driveway.
Neighbor Megan Kraynok asked if a traffic study was called for and noted that re-routing of traffic during parades impacts Gilbert St. Neighbor Pam Tenwalde explained how the loss of on-street parking would impact her extended family and suggested that signs and/or flashing lights activated when ambulances were exiting the building were needed at the ends of the block.
Approximately 800 EMS runs are expected in a calendar year. Chief Miller noted that most will turn north onto Gilbert St. to reach State Route 81.
It was noted that the Ada-Liberty Fire department has one sign–a yellow diamond with a black fire truck silhouette–to indicate the location of the fire station. The fire station and EMS do not have control of the traffic signal at the corner of State Routes 81 and 235.
Asked how the Village will handle new 1-way traffic signs on Buckeye Ave, Hall noted that the Village has hired an engineer to provide guidance. He noted that there are extensive guidelines for state and federal regulations on signs and lights. The Village representatives also said that they would ask Village legal counsel about how to proceed with parking changes. The idea of cost sharing was introduced.
The next public meeting addressing the topics of parking and signs/lights is expected to be a Streets and Alleys Committee meeting that will take place during a regular council meeting.
