Raleigh leaders approve extra parking for Broughton High

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Raleigh City Council on Tuesday approved a plan that would provide 100 additional parking spaces at Broughton High School by paving part of the school's front lawn.

In the 7-1 vote, the council also approved further study that would determine whether to privatize nearby Cameron Street to allow for as many as 50 additional spaces.

The Wake County Board of Education, however, must look at a paving surface other than asphalt so that water could get through. That would allow the parking surface be removed and the lawn restored if the school ever finds parking elsewhere.

School system officials initially asked for 126 additional spaces on the school lawn, a less-expensive alternative to its other option – building a parking deck.

The proposal has sparked debate between some alumni, who have argued that paving the front lawn takes away from the school's beauty, and students, who complain parking is difficult.

About 1,000 Broughton students are eligible to drive to the school, at 723 Saint Mary's St. near downtown Raleigh, but on-campus student parking is limited to 60 spaces. Students say they have to pay to park in off-campus lots or fight for spaces on residential streets.