Swap Meet Parking to Be Required

After two public hearings, the county Regional Planning Commission has given Edwards Drive-In Theater, located in unincorporated territory near Arcadia, 90 days to set up an off-street parking system for the swap meet it conducts on weekends from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The hearings were the result of numerous complaints about parking and traffic problems around Live Oak Avenue and Peck Road from area residents and parishioners of nearby Annunciation Church. Under the new system, those who want to attend the swap meet must present proof at the gate that they have parked in a lot.

James Edwards, an owner of the theater chain, said his company recently purchased one seven-acre lot across the street from the theater and signed a long-term lease for a second lot across the street from the entrance to the theater. He said the two lots will accommodate 2,000 cars, twice the number of cars parked at any given time for the swap meet. The 800 vendors park inside the drive-in.