COLUMBIA, S.C. — Two Columbia neighbors who had spent three years arguing over access to their shared driveway reached an informal agreement through mediation after the conflict led to seven police calls, authorities said. The agreement sets an understanding that neither household will block the drive or use it to prevent the other from entering or leaving their home.

The disagreement involved a narrow paved drive serving both properties on Larkspur Bend, where complaints had centered on parked vehicles and access during arrivals and departures. Police were called repeatedly as the neighbors struggled to resolve the issue on their own.

Police department spokesperson Dana Cardenas said officers referred the parties to mediation rather than treating the driveway conflict as a continuing criminal matter. The neighbors left mediation with a mutual access arrangement, though it is informal and not a court order.