The Mexico City council approved another parking change for the Missouri Military Academy (MMA), affecting Pollock Road.

The change affects the south side of Pollock Road between Grand Street and where the road curves. MMA requested because of the frequency of events held at MMA and the issues encountered with vehicles parked along Pollock Road. MMA was also having issues with the rutting up of the lawn by vehicles.

Parking is already restricted on the north side of the road so the proposal drew some opposition from neighbors. According to City Public Works Director Drew Williford, two people officially responded with criticism. The primary concern of those opposed was it would leave no room for overflow parking during the holidays.

Williford said MMA staff met with the neighbors and gathered signatures from residents who were in favor of making a change. MMA also agreed with the residents to allow the use of MMA’s parking facilities when overflow is needed. Williford said the city has the signatures and agreement on file.

“This took longer to work through,” Williford told the council at the July 24 meeting. “When we received some negative comments we asked MMA staff to look into it further.”

Williford said there was already concern about parking on Pollock Road because of traffic flow. He said the road is straight and a vehicle can build up speed.

“It is a concerning matter,” Willford said. “Pollock Road is narrow. It’s about 20 feet wide at best.”

Williford said MMA has recently added more parking so there shouldn’t be an issue with overflow parking with events scheduled.

“They feel capable of supporting those events,” Williford said.

Council Member Chris Williams said he lives in the area and sees the problem firsthand.

“Living over there I can tell you it’s a good idea,” Williams said. “I hope we enforce it. Sometimes it’s an iffy situation.”

The council made a change to parking in June when parking was restricted on the east side of Grand Street.