The Angus councillor leading a task force on parking permits has admitted the issue has yet to be determined.
The debate has bubbled back to the surface before an Angus Council budget which is widely expected to raise the prospect of charges in the county after years free parking.
Arbroath East and Lunan Conservative councillor Derek Wann said he is regularly approached by residents about permits and parking.
SNP councillors Lynne Devine, Bill Duff and Alex King previously declared any move towards Edinburgh-style parking controls in Angus should be a “non-starter”.
A report by Angus Council officers also warned such a scheme could take up all available on-street parking in Angus town centres.
Mr Wann is in favour of the idea and was tasked with leading an internal group of councillors to discuss the merits of permits.
He said: “I have been approached by several disgruntled residents with regards to permits and parking.
“I have slowed down discussions on the merits of permits at present as we want to get as wide an opinion as possible to include residents and businesses. In essence the permit idea is a good one.
“We could not however guarantee a space, the permit would only protect the payee from wardens. I think this would have some minor issues initially but something needs to be done.
“With regards to parking we are having a few issues with the old parking problem at businesses on the corner at Arbroath harbour.
“Some locals are calling for more robust policing in this area as most of the illegal parking is done after the wardens are finished as it’s at the fish and chip shop.”
Mr Wann believes the permits could build on the good work done by community wardens who have issued tickets since the beginning of May.
Residents in Bridge Street brought a petition to Angus Council in November for the right to park outside their front door without being hit with a £60 fine.
However, the plea fell on deaf ears as the council’s scrutiny and audit committee decided to take no further action as “no residential parking permits are available”.
Arbroath West and Letham SNP councillor Alex King said Bridge Street was one of a number of streets off Keptie Street and granting the request could open the floodgates.
The introduction of decriminalised parking enforcement was intended to assist with traffic management in Angus towns, to encourage free flow of traffic and improve road safety, especially for pedestrians and vulnerable groups, to improve servicing for local shops and assist with promoting the economic viability of town centres by increasing the turnover of parked cars.
