Parking on

Prime Point in Peachtree City will now be restricted to one side of the

road due to safety concerns at the recommendation of the city police department.

Police Chief

James Murray told the City Council at its meeting Monday night that a

glut of vehicles parking in the area could cause a potential problem for

emergency vehicle access should an incident ever occur at McIntosh High

School. It also causes congestion problems that affect tractor trailers

making deliveries in the area, Murray said.

Many students

use the street to park their golf carts since the school doesn't allow

them to be parked on campus, Murray explained. Also, businesses in the

area have employees and customers who park on Prime Point, the chief added.

A trial run

on the new parking plan was conducted for several days, and there was

still plenty of room for everyone to park, Murray said.

Council approved

the new restriction through an amendment to the city's parking ordinance.

Council delayed

another parking change, however, that was recommended for the North Commerce

Drive area. City Engineer Troy Besseche had recommended limiting parking

to one side of the road there as well, but J.D. Holmes of Gold's Gym complained

that would hurt the business since his employees currently park on the

street and customers have to park there also sometimes.

Holmes explained

that when the property was first purchased, he felt there was enough parking

on the plan, but then council changed the setbacks off Ga. Highway 74

from 40 to 60 feet, which shrunk the parking area, Holmes said.

Council tabled

the action so the fire department could study the situation and determine

if parking on both sides of the street creates a hazard.