ATLANTA — Neighbors in a northwest Atlanta neighborhood say they’ve spent years dealing with loud parties, fights and cars blocking their driveways — and they’re hoping new parking restrictions will finally bring some relief.
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The ongoing problems are centered around a short-term rental property on Larchmont Circle.
Lynn Hamilton, who lives across from the property, told Channel 2’s Eryn Rogers she sees the traffic and parties almost every weekend.
“It’s the nonstop traffic. I can’t get in and out of my driveway,” Hamilton said. “I have a handicap child.”
Hamilton said there have been times when she’s had to sit in her car for several minutes waiting for someone to move so she can get out of her driveway.
She said the parking problems have also created serious safety concerns.
Hamilton recalled one incident involving a family member’s death when the coroner had difficulty getting to her home because of vehicles parked along the street.
“The coroner had to park at the end of the street to get up to my house to pronounce her,” Hamilton said. “That’s not fair. They were having a party across the street from me. She said these cars had to be moved, so they could come up and get my aunt’s body.”
Hamilton has even put up “No Parking” signs in front of her property. She said people often ignore them, and one of the signs was recently crumpled after someone parked over it during a party over the Labor Day weekend.
The Collier Heights National Historic District has gotten involved in the dispute and has been working with the city on the neighborhood’s concerns.
Dr. Juanita Morton, president of the Collier Heights National Historic District, said the property’s use is a major concern.
“We cannot have party houses,” Morton said. “This is an illegal party house.”
Morton said the property at 643 Larchmont Circle is zoned for single-family residential use.
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Channel 2 Action News reached out to the property manager, who said she runs a business and monitors the property. She also said guests sometimes aren’t truthful about how many people are staying at the home.
At the end of August, the Atlanta City Council approved a resolution that will prohibit parking on Larchmont Circle.
Councilwoman Andrea Boone, who represents the area, introduced the legislation.
In a statement, Boone said she has been working with the Atlanta Department of Transportation to implement the new law and with the Atlanta Police Department on enforcement.
“Residents of Larchmont Circle are understandably upset about this property.” Boone said. That’s why, in August, I wrote and passed legislation to stop some of the most egregious practices at the short-term rental at 643 Larchmont Circle."
Boone says that since passing the legislation, she has worked with ATLDOT and Atlanta Police department to ensure implementation and enforcement.
Morton said the parking restrictions could make a significant difference for neighbors.
“That would solve problems for the residents, so they don’t have to look out their windows and say, ‘Oh, here come the cars again,’” she said.
Hamilton said she hopes the signs are installed soon so police can enforce the restrictions before the holidays which she says is always a busy time for the rental home.
The resolution calls for the signs to be installed within 30 days. Then, police can start enforcing tickets for violations.
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