HOLMES BEACH – Parking is still creating problems for city commissioners.
Commissioners relaunched a conversation concerning banning parking garages in the city during a June 28 work session. Unfortunately for them, that conversation became a bit murky as they started examining regulations concerning off-site parking and parking for businesses that requires drivers to back out onto busy roads.
At the urging of Mayor Judy Titsworth, commissioners agreed to move the ordinance to a first reading for further discussion and revision due to a shortened meeting schedule for the summer.
The discussion began with a talk about disallowing multi-level parking structures, or garages, within the city. Multi-level parking garages currently are not an approved use in any zoning district in Holmes Beach, but could be approved through a special exception. If the proposed regulations pass, the special exception approval avenue would be lost. While commissioners are not opposed to covered parking, the proposed ordinance states that parking can only take place on the ground floor. It does not prohibit a dwelling unit or business on the second floor.
If it passes two public hearings and votes by commissioners, the proposed ban on parking garages would derail plans by Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge to pursue a parking garage.
When the topic was broached previously during a Holmes Beach commission work session, Van Ostenbridge stepped up to the podium during public comment to warn city commissioners away from the proposed ban, stating that he was planning to present a proposal for a parking garage at the county-owned public beach. He left before the discussion began but told Titsworth that he was listening to the meeting on Zoom.
Though commissioners could agree on the parking garage issue, the discussion derailed a bit when they ventured into other items, including how and where to allow off-site parking for businesses. City Attorney Erica Augello warned commissioners that any change they made to current off-site parking regulations would affect existing businesses and commercial properties if those properties ever were to undergo major renovations or need to be rebuilt.
Augello noted that paid parking is already disallowed in all districts in the city.
In an additional parking discussion, Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that city leaders had spoken with representatives from Hancock Whitney Bank. During that conversation, he said that while the bank’s representatives were willing to continue the beach parking agreement with the city, they weren’t happy with the arrangement, which was causing issues for bank customers.
He added that the tow-away zone signs placed in the lot by the bank caused confusion for beachgoers and that the parking wasn’t well used by visitors. Tokajer recommended not attempting to re-enter into a beach parking agreement with the bank.
“I can’t find a compelling reason to reopen it,” Commissioner Terry Schaefer said of the lot. He added that the city doesn’t get a benefit from Manatee County by having the lot open to beachgoers after hours and the insurance for the parking costs the city money.
“I think the bank did a really nice public service for our Island and our visitors,” Commissioner Jayne Christenson said. “I commend them.”
Commissioners opted to not move forward with attempting to renew the parking contract.
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