CRESTVIEW — The City Council has rejected a Main Street business owner's request to replace parallel parking spots in front of his business with diagonal parking.
Hub City Smokehouse owner Mike Carroll sought the change — which would add 10 parking spots to the current nine — but the council turned down the request following a Public Works recommendation,
A report from city engineer Fred Cook stated that creating diagonal parking would degrade visibility from traffic turning onto Main Street from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Cook’s report also stated diagonal parking would allow less room for drivers’ transition to the intersection.
Assistant Public Works Director Carlos Jones said during the City Council's Monday evening workshop the issue had been considered at least 18 years ago.
“The street supervisor looked at it and said it wasn't advised then and it isn't advised now," Jones said. "We have a lot more traffic on Main Street now.”
Councilman Doug Faircloth said Carroll had caused part of the parking crunch himself.
“The gentleman had extra parking (in a side parking lot) but he chose to put outdoor seating there,” Faircloth said. “I don't see where the city has to provide parking when he has places to provide parking.”
Councilman Bill Cox said the city’s underused Wilson Street parking lot is just a block from the barbecue restaurant.
“But we have a lot of lazy people,” he added.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview City Council rejects parking change