ANNA MARIA – Efforts are afoot to allow leashed dogs at City Pier Park.
Section 38-28 of Anna Maria’s code of ordinances addresses domestic animals and currently prohibits dogs and other domestic animals in city parks and other public spaces.
“It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any domestic animal to allow or permit any such domestic animal on any beaches, coastal barrier sand dunes or parks located within the city limits,” the ordinance states.
During the Sept. 21 city commission meeting, Commissioner Jon Crane foreshadowed the pending efforts to allow dogs in City Pier Park while still prohibiting them in other city-owned parks.
During the city’s Sept. 10 centennial celebration at City Pier Park, some event attendees told Crane they didn’t know dogs weren’t allowed in the park.
Crane, a dog owner himself, said to the commission, “Since when can’t we have dogs at City Pier Park?”
Crane said Mayor Dan Murphy provided him with a copy of the ordinance that prohibits dogs in the park.
“I think there’s going to be some movement in this regard, having dogs allowed in City Pier Park. I think it might come from Planning and Zoning, but I’m not sure. It might be something we ought to think about,” Crane told the commission.
Crane said allowing dogs in City Pier Park would be different than allowing them in Bayfront Park, which abuts Tampa Bay and provides space where children and adults can play in and along the water. He noted that if dogs are allowed in City Pier Park, their owners must clean up after them.
“I’m not proposing it this second, but I think it’s going to be coming down the pike. Everyone should think about it,” Crane said.
None of the other commissioners commented on his remarks.
The city ordinance has been in place for a long time but no one seems to know exactly when the “No Dogs Allowed” signs first appeared at City Pier Park. Crane said he and several others first noticed them during the September centennial celebration.
Board discussion
During the Sept. 27 Planning and Zoning Board meeting, board member Dusty Crane, Commissioner Crane’s wife, initiated an impromptu discussion on allowing dogs in City Pier Park.
“I think it’s over-restrictive for residents and visitors. Along with that, I’d like to institute two things. One would be a poop station. The other would be a fine if the owner of the dog does not clean up its waste,” she said.
“And of course, no pets in the play area,” she said about the City Pier Park children’s playground. “And they all have to be leashed and under control.”
Crane said she’d like to see language added to the existing ordinance that would create an exception that allows dogs in City Pier Park.
“I’ve had a lot of people surprised to see the signs go up,” she said.
Planning board Chairman Jose Erbella said he doesn’t own a dog and he didn’t know dogs weren’t allowed in the park. He asked how the Planning and Zoning Board would proceed with such a request.
City Planner Ashley Austin and City Attorney Becky Vose said the board should direct one of its members to attend a city commission meeting and ask the city commission to direct city staff to address the matter.
Board member David Haddox made a motion to delegate Crane to address the city commission on the issue, including leash and clean-up requirements. The board voted 4-0 in support of Haddox’s motion.
