Commissioners direct staff to consult residents on parking options for Barton Avenue

City planning and public safety staff briefed the Harlingen City Commission on recurring complaints about on‑street parking, vehicle repairs and noise on Barton Avenue and asked commissioners how to proceed.

Soledad Núñez, a planning staff member, described the neighborhood as a mix of warehouses and older homes in a subdivision platted in 1945 with many driveways narrower than current standards: "Some of the driveways are actually smaller than 24 feet, 18 feet. A lot of them are 12 feet," she said. Núñez told commissioners some properties have unpaved or dirt driveways and several homes lack standard-width off-street parking.

Why it matters: Residents reported vehicles parked that partly block the street and mechanics working on cars that extend into the travel lane. Commissioners said restrictions could create hardship if residents lack legal off-street parking and noted businesses on the south side of Barton generally have rear parking but are unlikely to allow resident use.

Discussion and staff recommendation

Núñez said staff observed a mix of commercial and residential uses and that some complaints centered on noisy vehicle testing and cars extending into the street. She recommended meeting with residents to learn their priorities before proposing restrictions. Police leadership and planning staff agreed that options such as signage, parking restrictions, or targeted enforcement should be discussed with residents first.

Action and next steps

Commissioners directed staff to convene affected residents and stakeholders to identify preferred solutions and report back with options. No ordinance or traffic-control measures were imposed at the meeting; staff will return with recommended measures after community outreach.

Ending: The commission left the item for further action pending community input and follow-up recommendations from planning and public safety staff.