An issue that generated a great deal of discussion at the recent Adel City Council meeting involved parking restrictions in a dense residential area.

The Street Committee had conferred with Police Chief Gordy Shepherd and Public Works Director Kip Overton regarding the traffic patterns and safety concerns that exist on South 11th Street near the intersection of Greenwood Hills Drive. Shepherd said he devoted a full day to monitoring the spot, and counted more near misses than he could recall. He told the Council the main issue is that cars parked along the east side of 11th Street block the view of oncoming traffic for vehicles turning off from Greenwood Hills. The problem is exacerbated by a hill to the south of the intersection, and the general tendency of motorists to exceed the speed limit in the area.

At the recommendation of Shepherd and Overton, the street committee presented a proposal to the Council to put no parking areas on either side of the intersection. This proposition was met with some pushback from the community, with a few residents from the area asking where they were supposed to have their guests park when hosting a gathering or event. However, the Council was able to reach a compromise that the residents agreed with, where the no parking area was reduced. In the end, they approved a parking restriction on 11th Street that goes north from Greenwood Hills one house, and south to the first driveway.