AUSTIN, Texas -- Three South Austin neighborhoods are about to become no parking zones for all major events.

• Rules would prohibit public parking in the Zilker, Barton Hills and Bouldin Creek neighborhoods
• Preliminary plans would include permanent signs on virtually every street in the three neighborhoods 
• Transportation officials said installation of the signs will cost about $96,000 to install

For the past couple years, transportation officials have blocked off several streets to non-residents during events like ACL Music Fest and Blues on the Green. No Parking signs would extend from Barton Springs Road all the way south of Barton Skyway.

The new rules would prohibit public parking in the Zilker, Barton Hills and Bouldin Creek neighborhoods during all official events at Auditorium Shores and Zilker Park.

They're part of a set of recommendations that came from a task force created by the Austin City Council to improve crowd management of major events.

Transportation officials were not available for interviews Friday, but a spokesperson said their chief concern is ensuring fire trucks and ambulances can access all streets.

"The one percent of the time when your house is burning down or your kid is sick and you need EMS get to you as fast as possible--that's when it really counts," said Jeff Jack, President of Zilker Neighborhood Association. 

In addition, Jack said families in those neighborhoods deserve peace and quiet.

"They don't want to have people dumping trash in their front yards, parking too close to their driveways, or making a lot of noise late at night," he said.

Preliminary plans would include permanent signs on virtually every street in the three neighborhoods that are adjacent to Zilker Park and Auditorium Shores.

Mary Owens lives in the affected area, but she said she only learned of the months-long discussion Thursday night.

MORE | Map of Proposed Parking Restrictions

Owens lives on a street that already has parking restrictions in place. She said they create an unwelcome feeling for her visitors.

"If the whole neighborhood is blanketed with signs, it will look like no one is ever welcome," Owens said. "I guess if people don't want parking in front of their house, they could put out some orange cones. It would be cheaper than whatever this project is."

Austin Transportation Department officials met privately with a handful of stakeholders Friday afternoon.

A city employee abruptly shut the door in the face of our Spectrum News crew upon arrival.

Owens is the head of a neighborhood organization, but she said she's never been contacted by the city.

"If I can have the opportunity to ask not to have more signs in my yard, I would probably ask not to have any more," she said.

Transportation officials said installation of the signs will cost about $96,000 to install. They plan to ask event organizers to cover the cost of the signs.

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