Citing safety concerns, the Peachtree City Council has voted to limit on-street parking on Commerce Drive near the World Gym facility.

Cars will be able to park across from the gym on the eastern side of Commerce Drive, and a little further north on the western side of the road. The idea is to improve the sight distance for oncoming cars in both directions because of the curve in the road, said City Engineer David Borkowski.

Gym owner Dar Thompson, who unsuccessfully ran for mayor last year, asked council to allow parking in three more areas along the road, but ultimately they were not approved.

Instead, Thompson will have to pay to reconfigure his parking lot, using angled parking and reconfigured landscape islands to create about 50 to 60 more parking spaces. Making cars go one way in the parking lot will free up some asphalt for parking spaces also, officials said.

Thompson noted that he had sought more parking for the development when it was brought before the city’s planning commission, but ultimately he was turned down.

Councilwoman Judi-ann Rutherford asked City Attorney Ted Meeker if the city could be held liable if an auto accident occurred in the area. Meeker said there could be a problem since the city was aware of the issue already.

Rutherford asked city staff to bring the issue back up in future months after Thompson is able to rebuild the parking lot so council can consider banning all parking along Commerce Drive.

City Planner David Rast said the city would work with Thompson to get the work expedited.

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