Troubleshooter: Chapel Hill's towing woes continue
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- It is no secret that parking is hard to come by in downtown Chapel Hill and many businesses jealously guard what they have.
In a McDonald's parking lot on Franklin Street, there are several signs throughout that state: "You will be towed if you are not a McDonald's customer."
But one Cary resident told me she followed the parking signs, but still got towed, and it cost her $175.
Tanya Barcinas, a nurse stopping by McDonald's before one of her appointments, said she was shocked when she got back to her car and it wasn't there.
"I was early for my visit and wanted to get some tea so I stopped in McDonald's around one o'clock. They were not busy and the parking lot was pretty empty. I went in, purchased an ice tea, sat down and enjoyed my tea," Tanya said.
After her tea, she admits she walked off the McDonald's property.
"I was still early for my visit. I had extra time, so I decided to walk across the street and just browse the area for probably about 30 minutes," Tanya explained.
However, in that short period of time, her car was gone.
"I went inside McDonald's, I spoke with the manager, and he told me my car was towed," Tanya said.
"I asked why was it towed, and he told me that the towing company was watching me on the video and saw that I left," she said.
Tanya had to pay $175 to the towing company to get her car back and her frustrations are not unique.
In 2012, after complaining of predatory towing, the town of Chapel Hill tried to put in place a new towing ordinance.
Part of that ordinance requires businesses that have a walk off policy to have signs that specifically state that policy.
However, a towing company challenged the town's new ordinance, and it has been tied up in the courts for the last two years.
While it awaits an outcome, drivers like Tanya are paying for it.
"There is not clear signage that although you are a paying customer, you have to return back to your car. You can't enjoy any shopping in the area or the other benefits of Chapel Hill," Tanya explained.
While we were out doing the interview, the McDonald's store supervisor came out. He didn't want to talk on camera but apologized to Tanya.
We tried to get answers as to why there were no signs that state you will be towed if you are a McDonald's customer and walk off the lot.
The supervisor would not answer, only telling me he would give my information to the owner.
We never heard from the owner but Tanya does have this advice for others:
"You just need to be aware of the towing situation in this area, if you see a sign that you could be towed, they are watching you," Tanya said.
"If you go off of the property there is a possibility your car will be gone and you have to pay a large amount of cash to get it back," she said.
The state Supreme Court did issue a decision which will allow part of the town's ordinance, including the walk off sign policy.
Before the ordinance can be put in place, there are still some final legal hurdles that need to be overcome.
Meanwhile, Chapel Hill's tow ordinance is still not in effect even after two years.
The best advice is to be very careful where you park along Franklin Street, especially if you are parking in a private lot.
