David Taylor of Guard Street found at least one sympathetic ear Thursday on the Town Council in his renewed quest to install a driveway on his property.

Town law requires that homes on his block of Guard Street access their properties via Jensen Alley, to keep vehicles from backing onto Guard Street. But long before Taylor bought his home, his lot was subdivided and a home built behind his.

Today, he must park on Guard Street. Because his vehicle has a handicapped placard, enforcement officers don’t hold him to the parking limit. But Guard Street is 1 foot narrower than the street standards allow, and he said getting in and out of his car is hazardous when both traffic lanes are busy.

An analysis by engineer John Hart shows that if Taylor had a driveway, he would have enough room to pull in, do a three-point turn in his backyard, and pull out nose-first.

Town officials say that in order for Taylor to have a driveway, they must change the law related to that portion of Guard Street. They fear Taylor’s neighbors would ask for driveways too, creating a risk of vehicles backing onto Guard Street. Those were the primary reasons why the council denied Taylor’s earlier request in 2008.

Thursday, Taylor recommended an easy fix: Modify the law to say that no driveways will be allowed on Guard Street with the exception of those homes that don’t have access on Jensen Alley.

Councilwoman Carrie Brooks sympathized with Taylor’s plight; she is expected to ask Mayor David Jones to put the driveway request on the agenda for reconsideration.