But, according to Bogossian, the club owner couldn't find enough land to build parking spaces. The ordinance provides for exceptions, such as businesses sharing parking spaces. But in the case of Mint, city officials wouldn't budge. It's like they want us to grow, but they won't give us the tools. The ordinance is tailored to fit the suburbs and is muddled in the city by arbitrary enforcement and political bribery, Bogossian says.
Urban neighborhoods have different needs and requirements than the car-friendly suburbs do.
Dorsey says the ordinance prevents traffic congestion that clogs both intown Atlanta and its suburbs. She says she has heard residents' complaints about parking spillover on streets neighboring East Atlanta Village. Perhaps one solution is to find a local business or organization, be it the library or the nearby auto parts dealer, who would grant bars and restaurants use of their lots after business hours, she says. Although she hasn't looked behind the Madison, or any business, to see what space is available, Dorsey says she also may support the construction of one big parking lot that could relieve some individual business owners of their parking responsibilities. But she stops short of calling that an actual solution.