Commissioners approve targeted no-parking zone on West Lakeside Street amid hotel concerns

The Nags Head Board of Commissioners voted Aug. 7 to adopt a targeted amendment to the town’s traffic-control map that creates no-parking “between signs” zones on portions of West Lakeside Street. The board adopted the police chief’s recommendation after hearing residents’ safety concerns about on-street parking and the potential additional pressure from a nearby hotel.

Residents who addressed the board during public comment urged broader restrictions. “The street’s already chaotic as it is and once the hotel comes in … it’s going to be worse,” said Colleen Hogan, who lives on South King Fisher Street. Molly Harrison, who lives on West Lakeside Street, asked the town to extend the no-parking area and to consider resident exceptions during flood events.

Staff presented two options: a full-street no-parking approach and a shorter, targeted restriction. The board opted for the shorter option (south side no parking from the US 158 intersection to the property line of 111 W. Lakeside; north side no parking from US 158 to the Bob White intersection), citing a desire to address immediate safety concerns without over-restricting neighborhood access. The motion to adopt that version passed by voice vote.

Commissioners and staff discussed practical enforcement limits during flooding and noted the town’s prior practice of communicating temporary parking allowances when flooding occurs. The board directed staff to monitor the new configuration and to return for amendments if the hotel is built or the measure proves insufficient.