Watch It! Parking Zones to Change at Rolling Green School

The traffic and parking situation at Elementary School is a mess.

Parents and teachers agree on that. Neighbors agree. Police and city officials agree.

The intersection of Airline Avenue and 81st Street is "total chaos" for about half an hour at the beginning and end of school, said City Engineer Dave McKay.

Solutions to the problems have less consensus.

Tuesday night, the Urbandale City Council approved a short-term solution by changing parking restrictions on Airline Avenue and 81st Street. The pdf to the right shows the changes.

The school, built in 1968, is on a site that is about two blocks by two blocks. There isn't enough parking for teachers, let alone for parents who are trying to drop off their children.

The intersection of Airline Avenue and 81st Street is "total chaos" for about half an hour at the beginning and end of school, said City Engineer Dave McKay.

There isn't adequate parking or loading zones for parents to drop their children off. It's particularly problematic for the parents of preschool children, because they are required by law to walk their children into the building.

Shannon LeMarre, a Rolling Green parent, told the council that she and another parent got involved after they are their children were almost hit by a car while they were crossing the street to get to the school. She said they went to Principal Julia Taylor, who asked city engineering and police officials to evaluate the situation.

As a result, parking will no longer be allowed on Airline Avenue north of the school between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

And parking, which had been allowed on the east side of 81st Street will be banned on that side of the street. There will be limited parking allowed on the west side of 81st Street, but to the southern edge of the school.

McKay said some residents along 81st Street oppose that solution -- one sent a petition against it to the council -- but Principal Julia Taylor thanked the city and said: "Right now, it is the best proposal we can do."

But Councilman Ron Pogge said the solution ultimately is up to the school district.

"It's their problem. The burden is theirs. They've got to come up with some solution," he said.

Then looking at Police Chief Ross McCarty, he said: "When this gets all set, you need to issue tickets there. Otherwise, we're going to get some kid hit."