PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — The Pigeon Forge City Council met Monday and passed an ordinance that restricts parking on state right-of-ways — a proposal that comes after state transportation leaders required Pigeon Forge to enforce rules that affect events like Rod Run.
The department owns many major right-of-ways in the city, such as ones along the Parkway. The right-of-way includes the first row of parking lots in front of businesses along the road. The state leases those parking spots to Pigeon Forge, which then subleases the spots to local businesses.
Visitors often advertise cars from those parking spots during car shows like Rod Run. During last spring's Rod Run, enthusiasts could advertise their cars. An agreement between Pigeon Forge and the Tennessee Department of Transportation mandated that to change.
The lease between TDOT and Pigeon Forge said vehicles parked in spots along the right-of-way could not have advertising of any kind. However, the agreements between Pigeon Forge and local businesses allowed advertising for up to 72 hours.
TDOT said the city needed to bring its sublease into compliance with the lease it has with the department.
The ordinance passed on Monday said parking on all state rights-of-way inside city limits would be limited to vehicles with a valid registration, and specifically said vehicles could not depict any form of advertising — including signs that say they're for sale. It said the city would tow away vehicles that break the rules if their owners could not be found.
Usually, Rod Run events feature hundreds of people lining down the road looking to sell their vehicles. It also features a car show, and organizers said the car should would likey not be impacted by the rule changes.