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Residents press city on Airbnb parking, a near‑miss with a city vehicle and local reporting
Summary
Public commenters raised separate concerns: the Carolina Courier's reporting and the city's response; an alleged stop‑sign violation by a city vehicle near Public Works; and recurring Airbnb parking and property‑damage problems in the Fairfax subdivision that a resident asked the city to address.
Several residents used the public‑comment period to press the city on distinct neighborhood concerns. Eric Stewart asked whether the city or police planned to respond to factual articles published by the Carolina Courier and whether the city intended to take steps to restore reputation. Donald Nash described a near‑collision when a vehicle associated with Public Works or police disregarded a stop sign and asked what would be done; the mayor said he would have Captain Hornell look into the incident.
Kevin Patterson, a longtime Fairfax Subdivision resident, detailed repeated parking and property‑damage problems caused by short‑term rental guests and adjacent hotel guests, and said he wants a direct point of contact at the city for enforcement. "I have an Airbnb adjacent to me," Patterson said, describing blocked driveways, lawn damage and delayed owner responses; he asked for dialogue with the mayor and staff about code enforcement and compliance with owner‑response requirements.
The mayor acknowledged the concerns and said staff would research the city's enforcement authority and reach back out to Patterson. Residents also urged candidates for nonpartisan council seats to avoid partisan campaigning, and the mayor invited those with concerns to upcoming outreach events and encouraged direct contact with city staff.
