Business owners and residents raised strong objections at a Public Safety Committee meeting on Sept. 16 to a proposal to convert Mill Creek Parkway to one-way traffic with curbside parking. Those speaking from local businesses urged the committee not to pursue a permanent conversion, saying a one-way arrangement would hamper deliveries, reduce visibility and encourage illegal parking and double-parking.

One business owner told the committee the proposed conversion would make it “a nightmare” for deliveries and customers, especially for semis and larger vehicles. Another local commenter asked whether the committee had considered buying nearby parcels for additional parking; staff and board members said some parcels are for sale but that land acquisition would be costly and beyond the committee’s immediate authority.

Committee members repeatedly emphasized that the Public Safety Committee is a recommending body and that the village board makes final decisions. “Ultimate decisions are made by the village board. They’re not made by this committee,” a committee liaison said during the meeting.

After an extended discussion in which several committee members and business owners voiced opposition, no motion was advanced to make the road one-way. Several members characterized the issue as appropriate for event-specific traffic management (such as special-event closures) rather than a permanent villagewide change. Staff said that any permanent conversion would require traffic studies and likely approval by the Department of Transportation or other agencies involved in the design of Main Street.

Because of the strong opposition from local businesses and practical concerns about deliveries and visibility, committee members indicated the proposal was unlikely to move forward; staff recorded no formal recommendation to the village board from the committee on a permanent one-way conversion.