Parking Compromise Finds Support in Davis Place Survey

While residents surveyed in 's Davis Place neighborhood place a priority on saving three buildings at risk of being razed, a majority don't think their preservation should be tied to parking restrictions in the area. That's the conclusion of a report the neighborhood's trustees plan to release Wednesday night.

The survey also allowed respondents to write out their thoughts on the issue. Comments ranged from one-sentence answers to paragraphs.

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Trustees now plan to convene a meeting next Monday or Tuesday between residents and Clayton Board of Aldermen representatives Mark Winings and Steve Lichtenfeld.

"Any decision will be in the hands of the Board of Aldermen," the report states.

The and early September. It is part of the neighborhood's ongoing discussions with the church. Representatives had asked whether Davis Place would consider in exchange for the North Biltmore Drive buildings, which the church owns.

"Given the option to lessen parking restrictions in exchange for a commitment by Church leaders to leave the houses intact, a majority of residents voiced support," the report states. "Of the 114 respondents, 65 percent agreed to compromise in some fashion. However, a majority 52 percent also voiced the opinion that the policy concerning parking should not be linked to the Church's plan to tear down the homes—that is, residents would prefer that each issue stand on its own merits."

Trustees sent out a total of 272 electronic surveys. Among other findings:

• More respondents overall (61 percent) favored keeping new parking restrictions and converting one-hour parking spots to two hour spots than did respondents who identified themselves as living closest to the church (52 percent). Both groups expressed support for the proposal if church leaders agreed to keep the houses.

• A majority of both respondents overall (55 percent) and those closest to the church (52 percent) favored a return to previous parking restrictions if the homes are kept.

The following is a breakdown of how all 114 respondents answered based on information contained in the report: