Hillsborough judges Orange courthouse parking as lacking

Offices in the courthouse addition were supposed to open last week, but Hillsborough officials said up to 250 more parking spaces are needed to comply with site plans filed four years ago. Without the certificate of occupancy, some judges and a couple of courtrooms cannot be used, officials said.

County officials proposed moving in and then determining how many spaces are actually needed. They said an area behind the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the local Farmer's Market could be paved for more parking, if needed.

The Hillsborough Board of Adjustment denied that request Wednesday night.

"I think everybody – for the court system, for the town, for the county – is hopeful a solution can be worked out, but it would have to be the right solution," Hillsborough Town Attorney Bob Hornik said.

Hornik said the county needs to make the next move by either adding the needed parking or appealing the Board of Adjustment decision to Superior Court.

County officials initially planned to have courthouse employees park at a remote lot and ride a shuttle bus to work, but the shuttle system was never funded.