City files emergency preamble on parking issue

Date: 5/30/2007

By Erin O'Connor, Staff Writer

AGAWAM The City Council filed an Emergency Preamble on May 16 that states parking during the year for Six Flags and the Big E can create a hazard to the public safety and the current transient parking ordinance does not alleviate the parking problems.

The City Council had recently approved a Transient Parking Ordinance earlier this month that created a zone change due to parking issues involving Six Flags' presence in the city.

The ordinance amends zoning laws allowing for the use of temporary parking in the city and would allow residents to park passenger vehicles on their property for a fee via special permit granted by the Board of Appeals after a public hearing.

According to Melissa Pinkerton, of Six Flags public relations, representatives from Six Flags will be speaking out at a June 4 City Council meeting about the parking issue.

"We prefer people to park in our parking lot," Pinkerton said. "It is Six Flags' plea for public safety. Patrons parking across the street are walking across the highway."

Pinkerton said it is a safety concern for the park.

"Safety is a number one priority," she said. Pinkerton said that when visitors park in the Six Flags lot there is a bus that will take them safely across Main Street and into the park.