The Town of Columbia Board of Aldermen heard a local business owner ask whether parking could be limited to two hours along parts of Main Street in their Aug 5 meeting.

“I have had some issues with long-term parking on Main Street with vehicles that are blocking my business. I was wondering if there could a be a solution to this” said Sandy Silverdahl, owner of the Scuppernong Millhouse on Main Street in downtown Columbia.

Silverdahl mentioned that across the street from her business there were some residential areas and businesses that had very limited parking as to parking on their own property. She suggested there could be some public access areas that could be utilized and two hour parking could be had on just one side of the street.

Silverdahl mentioned other business owners were concerned with this issue.

“You had mentioned to me that you were also concerned when Pocosin Arts opens there might be some issues. I just happened to be with a member of the Board of Directors from Pocosin Arts last night. He said he was very glad that I had mentioned this, and he would ask others what their long-term parking needs might be,” said Midge Ogletree

Silverdahl mentioned that she had talked to some Pocosin Arts officials and they said they would have some parking available behind their building.

Ogletree suggested that a rule on parking on limited parking on the South Side of Main Street be implemented between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

 

“ I wonder if the Chamber of Commerce could encourage people who have businesses to have their employees to park not on Main Street,” Ogletree said.

Columbia Town Manager Rhett White mentioned that the issue of parking with Pocosin Arts had come up before.

Some solutions had been mentioned.

“In the past there was some discussion of the fact that they would do everything they could to have their parking be on Water Street or Bridge Street,” said White.

White discussed the fact that public spaces near the Columbia municipal building are often occupied.  Employees of nearby businesses and ambulance services employees are often occupying them.

“It might worthwhile to simply have a discussion with each business person on Main Street. Along the lines of your business would be better served if there were spaces not captured by employees,” said White

White mentioned that situation in Columbia is unique. He worked in a situation once where it was considered a good thing to get within three blocks of work.
“It is a nice problem to have,” White pointed out.

Mayor Michael Griffin mentioned that the matter sill needed discussion.

“We can pass an ordinance and put out signs. But it then begs the question of enforcement,” said Griffin.

Griffin said that the legal issue would be whether tickets should be written and whether those tickets should be paid.