By Will Pafford, Staff Writer

The city’s new parking lot on Gentry Drive has unintentionally shifted traffic to a nearby street, and residents are looking for a solution. 

Robert Patterson, a resident on Pickwick Lane, spoke about the problem at the Rollingwood City Council meeting April 15. 

He said the new parking lot has shifted parking from Nixon Drive to Pickwick Lane. 

Alderman Brian Nalle said he is in favor of using permits to regulate parking on the street.

“The permit idea seems reasonable,” he said. 

He said he hopes educating drivers is sufficient, but if that does not work, the city could go to permits. 

Patterson said education would be challenging because many of the park users are not residents. 

“It’s difficult to educate people who aren’t in Rollingwood,” he said. 

Alderwoman Liz Krakow agreed.

“Permits aren’t ideal, but they’re better than what’s before us right now,” she said. “I think permitting is the short-term solution.”

Alderwoman Shanthi Jayakumar said she did not want permits because they would be a burden for residents and the police, who would enforce the permits. 

Patterson said parking permits might solve the problem.

“There has to be a solution, and I think the permits are a compromise,” he said. 

Rollingwood Police Chief Dayne Pryor said the parking lot is still new, and the city should have patience before taking any drastic action.

“This parking lot is brand new,” he said. “We should take at least a reasonable amount of time for people to get used to it.” 

He said police are giving out warnings to people who currently park in prohibited areas. 

Mayor Dale Dingley said the Council should look at the situation each month in the future and be prepared to take action.

In the meantime, the city put temporary signs restricting parking on the street.