HOLMES BEACH – In a move that is sure to create controversy, the Island Congestion Committee is recommending eliminating all parking on residential streets in the city.
Member Jayne Christenson introduced the idea at the group’s recent meeting, and members approved it. They plan to present it at today’s meeting of Barrier Island Elected Officials and at the July city commission work session.
“Over the last five years, we have seen more traffic and parking in the neighborhoods and in the streets,” she said. “It’s become a real concern of mine and my neighbors. It breeds a lot of issues. My goal is to find ways to eliminate or reduce it.”
She said issues include visitors parking on both sides of the streets and in people’s yards creating safety issues and damaging grass and sprinklers, trash left in yards, relieving themselves in public and using residents’ garden hoses to rinse off and opening vehicle doors blocking sidewalks. She also has concerns about the safety of neighborhood children.
“Technically, it is city property (right of way), but we maintain it,” she stressed. “To me it’s unacceptable.
“Tourists have rental units with parking, but in the summer months, local people are here and don’t have rentals units to park their cars, so they are overflowing into our neighborhoods.”
Finding solutions
Christenson said solutions include doing nothing, implementing Commissioner David Zaccagnino’s paid decal plan or eliminating parking on the streets, but she said Zaccagnino’s plan would not take vehicles of the streets.
“It would give people permits to park in front of our houses, and the cost would be huge,” she said. “It would generate revenue, but that is not the issue.”
Christenson said her plan would: be low cost to implement and manage; reduce parking in residential neighborhoods; and not require police time to issue tickets.
Member Pam Leckie said she agreed with the plan, however, member Ursula Stemm asked what people would do when they have parties or celebrations such as graduations.
Christenson said there could be exceptions, and residents could let the police know when they have events.
Resident John Hutcherson said, “You need input from people who may like parking in the street, but I think it’s a good idea. The community has changed, and you have to think about your residents.”
Hutcherson also asked about parking for beach renourishment, and Christenson said she would find out the requirements.
Christenson recommended eliminating residential street parking in R-2, but Leckie said R-4 should be added. The others agreed to add R-3 and that Key Royale and public parking areas at the beach accesses would not be included.
Commissioner Marvin Grossman said R-1 “does not get very many people going to the beach,” and that they should start with R-2 to see how people react.
However, Hutcherson pointed out, “Do it city wide because it creates problem for enforcement.”
Chair Carol Soustek suggested that members canvass their neighbors.