Residents urge action as student parking, noise and safety concerns mount on Long Lake Drive

Several Long Lake Drive residents pressed the Fuquay‑Varina Town Board on April 7 for action after describing daily student parking and carpool activity they say has created traffic hazards, loud noise, litter and instances of fighting and suspected illegal behavior.

At the public comment period, Alexander Bergos of 504 Long Lake Drive told the board students use an adjacent empty lot and path as a shortcut to Willow Springs High School and regularly park on lawns and curb faces, producing traffic maneuvers and disturbances. “They park surrounding our house and walk to school from there,” Bergos said, and he asked the town to intervene so neighbors can regain peace.

Mark Ammon, who said he lives at 811 Long Lake Drive, described backups in the cul‑de‑sac during morning drop‑off and lunch and recounted seeing a fight in his front yard on March 27. “We need to regulate the students, not the residents,” Ammon told the board, urging enforcement of on‑campus parking and better school cooperation.

Fiona Clarkin (804 Long Lake Drive) added safety and environmental concerns: when vehicles line both sides of the street, she said, emergency vehicles may have difficulty reaching homes; she also reported graffiti, litter and behavior she described as illicit in parked cars.

Town staff briefed the board on actions taken to date. Staff told the board they have met with HOA leaders, reopened a left‑turn movement to reduce cut‑through traffic, and run targeted enforcement for illegal turning, blocking intersections and parking in ways that violate state law. Staff said the school released additional parking permits for sophomores after initial restrictions and that the town observed roughly 40–60 available on‑campus parking spots on a normal day, but some students still opt to park in neighborhoods for convenience or cost reasons.

Town staff told residents that officers can cite unsafe driving and illegal parking behaviors (blocking driveways, too far from curb, obstructing intersections) but cannot ticket a vehicle that is legally parked on a public street unless a no‑parking restriction is in place. Staff said an enforceable no‑parking zone could be proposed for affected blocks but would apply to all vehicles (residents, guests and contractors) and requires strong neighborhood consensus and HOA involvement because it removes parking rights from some households.

Mayor William Harris thanked speakers and said the board and staff are committed to finding a workable solution. Police Chief Smith urged residents to report crimes or illegal activity in the act so officers can respond.

Next steps described to the board included continued coordination with the HOA and school, targeted enforcement where violations occur, and exploring physical measures on HOA property (fencing or landscaping) to limit cut‑through use. Staff said the town will only recommend a no‑parking ordinance if directly affected homeowners support it and HOA boards and the town agree on a proposal.

The board did not adopt a new parking ordinance at the meeting; the matter remains under review and staff will continue enforcement and coordination with the school and HOA.