Apex Council Divided as Parents Seek Relief from Student Parking Challenges at Apex Friendship High School

Debate over rezoning, development ordinance (UDO) changes, and private property use underscores growing frustration with limited parking at the high school.

Apex, NC, Aug. 15, 2025 — A simmering frustration over high school student parking boiled to the surface in a tense town council meeting this past Tuesday, where parents, students, and officials clashed over both the scope of the problem and the best way forward.

The discussion followed continued complaints from parents and residents that existing parking provisions fail to meet demand, forcing many students to park far from campus or rely on informal arrangements. Several council members acknowledged the depth of frustration, noting that this was not the first time the matter had been raised and that the intensity of public concern seemed to be increasing.

One parent described the daily challenge bluntly: “My daughter has to walk a half mile just to get to class after finding a spot,” the parent said, underscoring how the shortage forces students into unsafe or impractical routines. Others spoke of their children scrambling for rides or depending on private property arrangements that were neither consistent nor sustainable.

Apex Town Council Members discuss Apex Friendship High School parking Issues.

Council members debated potential remedies, but the conversation quickly revealed divisions. The proposed request to change the town’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to create more flexibility in parking requirements was met with opposition. Councilmember Terry Mahaffey pushed back, saying such an approach was too broad for what he saw as a narrow issue. “Rezoning is the answer, not a UDO,” Mahaffey said, warning that a town-wide rule change would carry unintended consequences beyond the high school’s situation. Several colleagues signaled agreement, leaning toward a solution tailored to the school or specific property rather than a blanket amendment.

Longtime resident, Annie Scott, addressing the Apex Town Council

The discussion also touched on temporary measures already in place. Annie Scott, a nearby property owner, noted how her family’s property is being used to ease the overflow. “I’ve opened up my property because these students need somewhere safe to park, and we’re trying to be good neighbors,” she said, adding that while the arrangement has helped, it is no substitute for a permanent solution. Her comments highlighted both the generosity and the limits of stopgap fixes.

In closing, Mayor Gilbert acknowledged the contentious tone of the meeting and emphasized that the matter was not settled. He directed that the discussion be documented in the official notes and made clear it would return to the council agenda. “This conversation isn’t over. We’ll be revisiting it,” he said, signaling that parents and students should expect the issue to remain a priority.