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Fuquay Varina raises parking fines to $30, staff to hold community meeting on proposed no‑parking during school days
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Summary
The Fuquay Varina Town Board voted to increase general parking fines from $5 to $30 and boost handicap parking penalties; staff will hold a community meeting to gather input on a draft no‑parking‑on‑school‑days ordinance for the North Lakes neighborhood to address student and carpool parking.
The Fuquay Varina Town Board on April 21 amended the town code to increase general parking violation fines to $30, raise handicap‑parking penalties to $100 and extend the standardized payment window to five business days.
Assistant Town Manager Matthews said the current $5 fine dates to the 1970s and is no longer an effective deterrent. “$30 would hopefully sting a bit more than $5,” Matthews said, adding that repeated violations could lead to towing. Matthews framed the changes as modernization to align penalties “with our peers” and that the board was being asked to act only on the fines tonight, not on a broader parking ordinance.
The board also discussed a staff‑draft proposal — presented for community feedback only — that would ban parking during school days from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. across all North Lakes streets to address student and carpool parking related to Willow Spring High School. Matthews described the draft as subdivision‑wide to avoid displacing parking onto adjacent streets and outlined outreach options including neighborhood petitions and a staff‑facilitated community meeting.
Resident Beth Roshow, speaking during public comment, urged more targeted outreach and questioned fairness for residents and guests. “Is it possible to have off‑duty officers patrol during the school hours ... to deter and to ticket to tow as necessary?” Roshow asked, urging measures that distinguish students from residents’ legitimate guests.
Commissioners asked staff about enforcement logistics and exceptions. Commissioner Voren moved to amend part 7, chapter 3 of the town code to update parking penalties “as presented and recommended,” and the motion passed. The board directed staff to hold a community meeting in North Lakes to gather address‑based, mapped feedback and to meet with Willow Spring High School administrators to seek partnership on traffic and parking solutions.
The changes to fines take effect following the ordinance process and notice; staff said signage and enforcement plans would be part of the community outreach and any future ordinance brought back for consideration.
