Buses abuse loading areas in Amana

AMANA — Iowa County Engineer Nick Amelon suggested the county change some parking signs in Amana after a store owner complained about buses parking in loading zones.

Three locations in Amana have “bump-outs” where vehicles can load and unload, Amelon told Supervisors during their May 9 meeting.

Sandy Newkirk, who operates Amazing Grace Antiques on the corner of 220th Trail and 45th Avenue, said that buses sometimes park in the bump-out on 45th Avenue for two or three hours, impeding business at her store. She asked the county to forbid parking there.

The signs currently say “no parking, loading zone,” said Amelon. “I believe that those three spots are made for bus loading and unloading,” he said.

The original plans for the 2004 project marked the areas for bus loading and unloading. “I believe that is meant for the big coach buses.”

Amelon suggested changing the signs to limit parking to loading and unloading for 15 minutes.

“I would prefer it say no parking, emergency parking only,” said Newkirk. She doesn’t want buses blocking her store.

“I would think they would go to your store first,” said Amelon. But Newkirk said that doesn’t happen.

Amelon said the buses should be using the bump-outs to load and unload rather than loading and unloading on the street. “That is what I believe the original intention was.”

Newkirk said she complained about the sign several years ago, and the county refused to change the sign then. Amelon said the county couldn’t change any part of the 2004 project for 20 years. That time period is up now.

Newkirk said she puts up a barrier during Maifest and Oktoberfest to keep people from parking in the bump-out. Amelon said residents aren’t allowed to block streets in that way.

“They should be able to use any of these three spots to load and unload,” said Supervisor Jon Degen, but they shouldn’t park there.

If the buses aren’t moving to the parking area after loading and unloading, they aren’t obeying the law, said Supervisor Chris Montross. He doesn’t interpret loading and unloading as meaning hours.

“I definitely don’t want buses parking there,” said Montross.

Newkirk asked who would enforce it if buses park there more than 15 minutes. It takes more than 15 minutes for a law enforcement officer to arrive if she calls them.

Supervisor Abby Maas agreed that the buses should be allowed to load and unload in the bump-outs. Some people can’t walk all the way from the parking lot, she said.

Supervisors said they’d like to get input from other businesses in Amana before making a decision. They plan to discuss the situation again during the May 16 meeting and would make a decision later this month.

Amelon also asked that the county remove a sign directing people to park behind Ronneburg Restaurant. The parking arrows are supposed to direct visitors to public parking, but the lot behind Ronneburg is private property, said Amelon.

There is a sign behind the Ronneburg that says parking is for Ronneburg customers only, Amelon said.

“I’m not going to say we should remove all of them,” said Amelon of the parking arrows in Amana. Some businesses might want people to park behind their businesses, he said.

Amelon suggested the county remove the signs pointing to private property when a business asks the county to do so.

Amelon said he’d save the signs and work with the Amana Colonies to find alternate parking.