By Kirk Gollwitzer
kirk.gollwitzer@tryondailybulletin.com

On Jan. 8, Columbus Town Council approved a request to set a two hour parking limit on the ten parking spaces that span the retail side of E. Mills Street. Business owners had expressed concern Thursday night over the lack of short-term parking during peak demand hours.

Jesse Navarro, of Farm Bureau Insurance, said that providing available parking for their customers has become increasingly difficult because most of the storefront spaces are taken up by long-term visitors. Navarro said that the line of parking spaces that runs from Gibson Street to Peak Street are usually occupied by people visiting the courthouse and other town government office buildings.

Navarro said that when court is in session people utilize the parking for hours at a time and it is nearly impossible for their clients, some of them elderly, to find safe and convenient parking spots. Navarro said that many of their clients are elderly and in poor health. He said that it’s also dangerous for people to park far away and then cross the busy streets on route to their appointments.

Some of the businesses affected include El Sureno Mexican Restaurant, Farm Bureau Insurance, Bank of America and others. Council members have been aware of this issue and agreed on this change with no debate.