Fuquay-Varina leaders weigh no parking zones in neighborhoods near Willow Spring High School

Frustrations over student parking in a Fuquay-Varina neighborhood are prompting town leaders to consider new restrictions. 

Neighbors in the North Lakes community say they've grown increasingly frustrated with students from nearby Willow Spring High School parking in their neighborhood.

People who live along Long Lake Drive say the onslaught of cars has resulted in traffic problems, increased litter and safety concerns. 

"This is not a parking lot. This is a residential street," one neighbor said. "This is a safety issue as well in that someone may get hurt."

Residents shared a video with WRAL that shows cars lining both sides of the neighborhood's street.

North Lakes community members took their concerns to town leaders in recent weeks.

Commissioners are now weighing whether to implement no-parking zones during school hours. 

"The issue is expanding," Assistant Town Manager Mark Matthews told commissioners during a meeting this week.

Parking at Willow Spring High School costs $200.

WRAL reached out to the school's Parent Teacher Student Association and Wake County Public Schools. The school district did not immediately respond to questions about what guidance has been provided to students about parking in neighborhoods around the school. 

WRAL News previously reported that Apex town leaders were discussing plans to address student parking at Apex Friendship High School. It comes as a longtime Apex resident, Annie Scott, was recently banned from allowing students to park in her yard. Scott charged students $300 per car at the start of the year for students to park in her yard.  

Fuquay-Varina leaders point to similar no-parking zones in Holly Springs from some neighborhoods near high schools.

"I know there was a concern about fairness. There was a concern about different events that might occur. Those are going to be challenges, but they have to be discussed..." Mayor Bill Harris said. 

Commissioners did not vote on the recommended restrictions. Instead, they decided to hold future community meetings before they are approved.