Easton woman's parking woes spur amendment that could help ensure handicapped access for downtown residents

EASTON, Pa. — Sally Kissling already had parking problems to begin with.

A building project right next door to her house was underway, taking up access for her to park near her place.

And on top of that, she could easily see a future where tenants and customers of the ground-floor retail space would take just about every spot.

That was on top of the fact that downtown visitors often parked on 6^th Street to avoid parking fees while they visited downtown pubs, bars and shows; and the near impossibility of keeping a spot locked down during festivals.

Fortunately, Kissling had a friendly neighbor mention the city’s handicapped parking program to her.

“And then I thought, ‘Oh, that is perfect!' So I applied, and then I was told that there’s no handicapped parking in the downtown entertainment district,” Kissling said.

“And I thought, ‘Oh my God… What am I going to do?'”

On Monday, Dec. 23, Easton City Council took action to help her.

'We got the support'

Kissling was in a tight spot — she had lived in the building since 2011, and had health issues that would make moving a near impossibility, and parking too far from her home a danger.

So she reached out and posted about her problem on Facebook. Several people on Facebook tagged Easton City Councilman Frank Pintabone.

“He got in touch with me and said, ‘Oh, I didn’t ever hear about this,’ and he was going to bring it up at the council meeting,” Kissling said.

Not long after, city Health Administrator Joe Gill stopped by Kissling’s house and conducted an interview.

On Monday, City Council introduced an amendment to the parking code, rectifying the section that banned handicapped access “within the Downtown District or the Business and Entertainment District.”

It was honed to “within the downtown area east of 5^th Street and south of Snyder Street.”

Kissling said she was shocked. After years of dealing with the intricacies of city government and spending tens of thousands of dollars to keep any repairs or improvements in line with the historical code, she said she never expected to get the help she needed.

“I didn’t believe in that," Kissling said. "I’m an old hippie; I didn’t believe in that sh-t. But I’m telling you right now, it’s true — it was like, boom, it’s done, and I didn’t have to pay extra money for that.”

Pintabone said he is “all for development,” but not when it comes at the cost of residents’ quality of life.

“I'm for smart development that doesn't hinder the lifestyle of our residents that are already here," he said.

"So I called Sally on the phone. I said, ‘Sally, I'm bringing it to council for approval. Keep your fingers crossed.’ She crossed her fingers and her toes, and we got it. We got the support.”

'Just a wonderful thing'

Other residents of 5^th and 6^th Streets also will benefit, Pintabone said, as those areas in what was once considered the historic entertainment district are no longer categorized as such.

That lets the predominantly residential locations maintain access to handicapped parking for those who need it.

Pintabone cautioned those in the area who may need special parking accommodations that the ordinance doesn’t immediately solve the issue.

It still needs to be voted on in the next city council meeting, and those interested still have to apply for a spot.

But as Pintabone put it, “At least now she has a chance, while before, it was just ‘No.’”

Discussion amongst council appears to support the ordinance, so it very well may pass in January, after which time city officials can established a reserved parking spot right in front of Kissling’s home.

“And I'm so grateful," Kissling said. "I'm, like, so grateful and so excited that I, you know, I don't have to worry about this. I'll be able to come and go like a normal person.

"And that's just a wonderful thing."