One of the hottest issues on the plate of Bryson City town board candidates this fall is parking, or rather the lack thereof.

The two challengers for the board of aldermen say the lack of parking has reached a crisis and is hurting the downtown tourism trade. The current aldermen say they know it is a problem, but finding a solution hasn’t been easy.

The two challengers for alderman — Trey Burns and Curtis Evans — said the town needs to create a community parking lot.

“There needs to be something done,” said Burns. “I think if it is not being solved by the business owners or anyone else, I think the town should, instead of just letting it be a problem and issue. It is one of the biggest issues in town.”

Evans also said the town should step up to the plate.

“The parking issue really needs to be looked at. It just needs to be addressed,” Evans said. “With all the people we have coming through Bryson City, if they don’t have a place to park, they aren’t going to stay here.”

Several candidates said the expansion of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad has led to more tourists, which is good, but is causing some of the parking problem. The train charges $3 to park in its lot, so in search for free parking, train customers take up on-street parking.

Jeramy Shuler, a candidate for mayor, said one way to stop that is to put parking meters back downtown.

Burns said parking should be part of a comprehensive approach to downtown tourism.

“One of my suggestions would be to make Bryson City more of a walking city. They are more likely to buy from shops and restaurants if they are walking instead of driving,” Burns said.

Alderwoman Stephanie Treadway agrees with a walkable community, witnessed by the streetscape initiatives the town implemented in the past two years that included brick sidewalk insets, lamp posts and trees along Everett Street. Next up is Mitchell Street and then Depot Street. Hopefully, Main Street would follow that, Treadway said.

But, “It’s always going to be an issue as far as parking goes,” Treadway said.

Alderman Tom Reidmiller said parking has always been a problem.

“There is no apparent solution at this time,” Reidmiller said.

When asked whether it is the town’s responsibility to find a solution, Reidmiller said that was a good question.

“There are different view points on that. Regardless of whose responsibility it is, there just is no space,” Reidmiller said.

Mayor Talmadge Jones agreed parking is a big issue, but to say it needs solving is, well, easier said than done.

“We are seeking out any nook and cranny we can squeeze one more parking space into. It’s an old town. It doesn’t have a lot of parking,” Jones said.

Buying land for a parking lot, let alone a parking deck, is too expensive for the town, he said.

“With any small town the single biggest issue is lack of money,” Jones said.

Treadway said that will change soon, however. The town is getting about $1.5 million in conservation grants from the state and private donors for protecting its old watershed with a conservation easement.

“It will provide resources the town has never had at their disposal,” Treadway said of the money. “I would like to think about how we are going to use this funding to progress the town.”

Moving ahead

Bryson City is the only incorporated town in Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties that does not have zoning or a land-use plan of any kind.

“Bryson City is growing and a lot of people don’t like that is growing. You can’t stop growth, but you can help it grow in the right direction,” said alderman candidate Burns. “I think if the town continues to grow there should be some type of land-use or zoning implemented.”

Evans agreed.

“With all the development that is going on in this area, that is something that eventually will have to be faced. The town is going to have to look at zoning or land-use planning,” said Evans, a surveyor.

Most candidates were not so candid, however.

Jones said a land-use plan with zoning is “not an immediate thing we are going to address.” Jones said expanding the town limits is on the table, however.

Reidmiller said he’s not sure about land-use planning.

“I am neither for nor against it. I am for whatever the people want,” Reidmiller said. “I think that should be put to the people for a referendum.”

Also in the not-so-sure camp is mayoral candidate Shuler.

“I would be open to suggestions and talks. I’m not really sure what would be feasible and what wouldn’t be feasible,” Shuler said of planning.

Shuler is more interested in improving the town’s sewer system.

“Basically, Bryson city is growing and someone needs to accommodate the needs of the growing town. It’s been let stay at an idle and it is getting behind,” Shuler said. “The main thing that needs to be accommodated for the growth is the infrastructure of the town, the sewer plant.”