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Stirling councillors support removal of parking bay near residence after fierce debate

Laura PondStirling Times

A REQUEST to remove an on-street parking bay in Stirling caused fierce debate among councillors.

A Covent Gardens resident sought removal of a bay outside his property and near to his bedroom, which was causing him distress because of associated noise and antisocial behaviour.

The request was previously denied by the City of Stirling and a report presented at the March 20 council meeting reiterated this for reasons including it had refused other requests from residents as the bays were constructed prior to homes being built, it would likely exacerbate parking issues and the majority of residents supporting retention of all bays.

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But Councillor Karlo Perkov moved to retain all bays except for one outside the complainant’s property and implored fellow councillors to “do the right thing”.

Crs Adam Spagnolo and Suzanne Migdale agreed, calling for compassion and council discretion but Cr Stephanie Proud was concerned that other residents’ requests had been refused and this decision would set a precedent.

“I empathise with him but this was known when the home was bought,” she said.

“I agree it’s an issue if people are unruly but that is a police or security issue.”

Cr Giovanni Italiano said he felt for the resident but the issue had been dealt with last year while he was mayor; there was a discrepancy between staff’s decisions so Cr Italiano said he chose not to interfere.

Engineering and design manager Paul Giamov said he was the one who advised Cr Italiano the bay could be removed “on the face of it” but after discussing with officers found it was not the first request made and there was a parking shortfall in the street.

Cr Italiano believed if the bay was removed now it would cause issues and was worried the City would be criticised for not listening to the majority of residents.

“For the sake of one person let’s not upset the whole street,” he said.

But the majority of councillors supported removal of the one bay and reinstatement of the verge at the owner’s cost, with Crs Keith Sargent, Proud and Italiano voting against it.

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