Residents press Evendale officials for action after neighbor parks 13 cars; chief offers follow-up

Several residents pressed village officials at Evendale’s town meeting about chronic street parking and pedestrian safety on Kingsport and Bridal Trail.

Lily Shockley, a 30-year resident, asked what could be done about people who routinely park on both sides of narrow, cresting streets where sidewalks are limited. “What can we do about people who prolong parking on the streets?” she asked, noting delivery drivers distracted by phones and blind spots that make walking hazardous.

The police chief (name not provided in the transcript) said that under the village’s current code parking on Kingsport is legal, acknowledged residents’ frustration and said enforcement options are limited. He told the meeting he would work with James Jeffers, the village engineer, and council members to look for solutions.

Tasha Gibson, an emergency-room nurse who lives near the location in question, described repeated safety incidents and said one household parks as many as 13 cars between their driveway and the street on a daily basis, sometimes blocking driveways and creating blind spots. Gibson said police previously marked tires to enforce time limits but that the cars have continued to remain.

Mayor Richard Feynon said the village will prohibit parking on both sides of streets for large events such as Fourth of July celebrations, though he acknowledged permanent prohibitions outside special events are difficult to enforce. After the meeting the police chief offered his business card and asked Gibson to send an email so staff could investigate the specific address and work toward a solution.

No ordinance changes or formal enforcement actions were announced at the meeting; officials described follow-up as a staff-level task.