BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners discussed – but took no action – on Commissioner Marilyn Maro’s concerns about boats and other recreational vehicles being stored in front yards.
In recent months, Maro has expressed concerns about golf carts, boats and other recreational vehicles in front yards, particularly at vacation rental properties. She’s questioned whether some vacation rental properties are being used to store golf carts being offered for rent and whether some people are buying residential properties for storage purposes.
At Maro’s request, recreational vehicle and vessel parking was discussed at the city commission’s Aug. 30 work meeting. Maro said some of her constituents have expressed concerns about these parking and storage activities potentially impacting their property values.
Building Official Steve Gilbert referenced Section 308.14.1 of the city code of ordinances, which says: “Campers, trailers, boats with trailers, boat trailers and similar recreational type equipment shall be permitted to park in off-street parking spaces in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 (residential) districts providing that there shall be no more than one recreational vehicle per dwelling unit located in the front yard. Additional recreational vehicles shall be located behind the front wall of the dwelling or structure.”
Gilbert said the code could be revised by the commission, but Maro was the only commission member in favor of doing so. Gilbert said storing golf carts on a residential property for commercial purposes would be addressed in another section of the city code and would warrant a different discussion.
Maro mentioned a large boat and boat trailer that had been stored for some time in the front yard of a rental home at 2113 Ave. B, which is now slated for demolition.
The Sun’s recent visit to the property also revealed a boat owned by tenant Matt Bauer parked alongside the driveway. Bauer said the other boat parked in the front yard belonged to his landlord, Stephan Najmy. Bauer later said the other boat was removed several hours after the morning work meeting ended.
Contrasting views
Commissioners Jake Spooner and Ralph Cole expressed their opinions that being allowed to store a boat and boat trailer in one’s front yard is an attraction to many residents who live in a boating community like Bradenton Beach.
Spooner said he understood Maro’s concerns even if he did not share them. Cole said he was experiencing “déjà vu” because the commission engaged in a similar discussion a couple of years ago. Regarding the potential impact on neighboring property values, Cole said he hasn’t heard of anybody having trouble selling a residential property in Bradenton Beach.
Spooner noted some people store small sailboats in their front yards and others store larger center console boats. Gilbert said some people store motor homes in their front yards and others store multiple personal watercraft there.
Spooner questioned how the city code could be revised in a manner that properly accounts for these varied storage uses. Cole said changing the rules to address a few problematic boats could negatively impact many more city residents. Spooner said prohibiting front yard boat storage would take away a right granted to Bradenton Beach residents for decades. Spooner also said the majority of boats he sees stored in front yards belong to permanent residents, not vacationers.
Commissioner Jan Vosburgh questioned why recreational vessels and vehicles are not required to be parked in the backyard. Spooner said many standard-sized lots don’t provide enough space to access the backyard for boat storage.
The discussion ended with the commission voting 4-1 in support of Spooner’s motion to leave the recreational parking regulations as they are. Maro opposed that motion.
