Swap-Meet Neighbors Press Parking Issue

Neighbors upset with the parking crunch created by swap meets at Golden West College won approval to limit public parking in the area during the weekend events. Now they want the college to pick up the tab.

The swap meets, held Saturdays and Sundays in the parking lot facing Goldenwest Street, became a problem when events expanded last year and attendees began parking on nearby residential streets, neighbors said.

“We’re basically tired of the riffraff and harassment brought on by the swap meet,” said Jeff Hefler, who lives across from the college on Rollins Lane.

Council members last week unanimously agreed to institute permit-only parking on weekend days in the area, bounded by Breeland Drive between Goldenwest Street and Feola Circle and on Rollins Lane between Breeland and Retherford drives.

City laws require that residents pay for creating special parking districts. City officials said it was not clear what the bill would be.

Council members agreed to ask the college to cover the costs.

College officials said they were unaware of complaints.

“It’s really important for us to be good neighbors,” spokesman Marc S. Posner said. “We’ll do what we can to resolve this.”