The City Council voted Tuesday night on second and final reading to extend the boundaries of the Fort Wood neighborhood resident parking zone despite the pleas of officials of Kappa Sigma fraternity.
Richard Wagner and Ken Harpe said with the new restrictions it will not be possible to hold fraternity meetings since the 17 board members and 48 members who do not reside at 927 Vine St. won't be able to find a parking spot.
They were told that at least some of the 12 residents of the fraternity house should be able to obtain a $25-per-year permit and also get parking hangers for use by visitors for short periods.
It was also suggested that some of the fraternity members and board members walk to the frat meetings or that a room on campus be found.
Mr. Harpe said, "We're not the problem. UTC students in general are the problem."
He said a long list of well-known citizens have been nurtured at 927 Vine, including General B.B. Bell, Justice Mickey Barker, Judge Richard Holcomb and a former Exxon president as well as "half the dentists and orthodontists on Brainerd Road."
Janice Hayes, a Fort Wood resident, said many organizations and businesses favor the extension because their clients can't find parking.
Cynthia Rice said, "I signed up four of the Kappa Sigma residents."
Councilman Jack Benson advised, "Demand that shuttles run up and down Oak and Vine."
The area requiring a parking permit is being extended to the 500 block of Fort Wood Street and also it takes in the 800 and 900 blocks of Vine and Oak streets - extending it to Central Avenue on the east.
The council earlier also went along with a request from a large delegation of residents for the city to take down signs that give an hour's grace period for parking.