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New setup time in effect for Anna Maria beach cabana rentals

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – One key component of the city of Anna Maria’s recently revised cabana rental regulations was in effect for the Labor Day holiday weekend.

The recent regulatory revisions adopted by the city commission on Aug. 27 included changing the allowed morning setup time for commercially rented cabanas from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

During the Aug. 27 commission meeting, Mayor Mark Short said the revised regulations would take effect the following day. 

The revised ordinance maintains and expands on many regulations included in the previously adopted version of the city’s parks and recreation ordinance that first took effect on March 1 – including the restriction that only allows commercial cabana rentals in the six-block beachfront area between Magnolia Avenue and Oak Avenue.

The Anna Maria shoreline was mostly clear of rental beach cabanas before 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

In response to past complaints and comments from Anna Maria residents and beachfront property owners, the rental cabana setup time was pushed back two hours to allow residents and property owners in and near that six-block area to have a mostly unobstructed view of the beach during the first few hours of daylight. The later setup time also gives residents and visitors time to set their own cabanas and tents up before the shoreline becomes more crowded.

The 9 a.m. setup time provides beachfront property owners and guests with a less obstructed morning view of the beach. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

A visit to the beach area between Magnolia Avenue and Palm Avenue at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, revealed just one rental cabana had been set up before the new 9 a.m. setup time. The rest of that six-block shoreline remained free of rental cabanas at that time.

On Saturday, Sept. 5, just one rental cabana was set up before the new 9 a.m. setup time. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

After Saturday’s 9 a.m. city commission budget hearing ended at approximately 9:25 a.m., Mayor Mark Short was asked if the recently revised cabana rental regulations were now in effect. 

He said the 9 a.m. setup time was now in effect. He said the recently adopted revision that allows only six rental cabanas per block, and a total of 36 rental cabanas in that six-block area, will not take effect until the city has franchise agreements in place with three selected cabana rental companies.

A return trip to the same beach area at approximately 10 a.m. revealed several more rental cabanas had been set up as the Labor Day weekend got underway.

Revised regulations

According to the recently revised city ordinance, “No more than three franchise agreements will be effective at any time.”

The revised ordinance notes those without franchise agreements will not be allowed to operate in the city’s limited commercial activity area.

Regarding the number of rental cabanas allowed, the revised ordinance says, “No more than 36 commercial rental areas are permitted on any given day, where permitted on the beach.”

It also says, “No more than six commercial rental areas are permitted in each geographic location (block) on any given day.”

The revised ordinance says after Jan. 1, no commercial rental activity shall occur without a franchise agreement with the city. The revised ordinance notes each commercial rental operator with a franchise agreement will be limited in the total number of commercial rental areas per day.

According to the ordinance, the city was to conduct a franchise agreement application process every two years and applications will be accepted from Sept. 1 through Sept. 15.

The franchise agreement applications will then be evaluated by a committee appointed by the mayor. The appointed committee members will use an evaluation criteria that includes the applicants’ experience and qualifications, the ability to comply with operational requirements, past regulatory or contractual performance, equipment quality and maintenance, and proposed franchise compensation to be paid to the city.

Rental operators’ reaction

My Beach Concierge owners Peery and Becky Heldreth have attended and participated in almost every cabana rental commission discussion that’s taken place in Anna Maria during the past year and a half.

Immediately after the Aug. 27 meeting, the couple shared their thoughts on the newly adopted regulatory revisions.

The rental companies are allowed to begin setting up their beach cabanas at 9 a.m. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“There are some procedural operational changes that we’ll need to make to ensure that we’re in compliance with the code, but for the most part, we appreciate the city’s openness to be able to talk through it and come to providing answers and some of the questions that we have,” Peery said, noting that he would apply for a franchise agreement.

“I’m thankful to have this behind us and to have some peace and to actually be able to have great relationships with the city instead of just butting heads all the time,” Becky said.

Bradenton Beach commission discusses possible cabana ordinance

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The city commission considered an ordinance that would regulate beach cabana rental companies while discussing other recent violations on city beaches.

“I’ve had some constituents send me photographs, and in particular a specific cabana company, that recently advertised for a wine experience on the beach, complete with wine glasses,” Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce said during the Aug. 20 city commission meeting. “This goes completely against the no alcohol rule on the beach.”

She also cited photos of cabana equipment left unsecured on the sand during a recent storm, warning that the tents could become hazards.

“It’s dangerous,” Scaccianoce said. “I get that the enforcement is difficult, but I don’t want our beaches to end up like the Causeway (Palma Sola Causeway). We have food boats coming onto the beach. We have ordinances that say they can’t come within so many feet, but they’re ignoring that.”

She noted that people are also bringing dogs to the beach, which is also prohibited.

“Once people start saying ‘oh they have their dog on the beach’ and then we’ll start getting more dogs on the beach and we’re going to start losing control,” Scaccianoce said. “These are all concerns that I think we’re going to have to start thinking about and addressing, because it’s not going to get better.”

Commissioners had previously agreed to hold off on regulating cabana operations to see how neighboring cities handled the issue, but several commission members indicated during the meeting that the problem is worsening.

“We had decided we weren’t going to do anything at this point and see what happens with the other cities,” Mayor John Chappie said. “Is it getting to the time where we really need to look at this and come up with something? Would we like Erica (City Attorney Erica Augello) to start formulating some type of ordinance for cabanas?”

The city of Anna Maria recently approved revisions to its beach cabana ordinance. Those revisions, which are scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, include the city entering into franchise agreements with only three beach cabana rental vendors.

Augello said a company setting up an unbranded tent for a renter, with no advertising or transactions occurring on the beach itself, may not qualify as “commerce on the beach” under the city’s existing rules, even though a company advertising an alcohol package likely would be a violation.

The gap in city enforcement staff dominated much of the discussion.

“There’s the enforcement mechanism,” Augello said. “If you regulate it, you have to have somebody to enforce it.”

Commissioner Robert Talham telephoned into the meeting and said by increasing police staff, resulting citations and fines would more than pay for itself in revenue. He suggested the city purchase a small four-wheel-drive truck for police officers to use for beach patrols.

“So, if we just paid for a new four-wheel-drive truck, you could just get somebody out there and writing tickets for stuff that’s already on our books,” Talham said. “Hire more police officers.”

Police Chief John Cosby said his department has just eight officers and only one is typically assigned to the beach at a time. He said Holmes Beach has five code enforcement employees and 16 active police officers.

“Holmes Beach has five code enforcement employees,” Cosby said. “Three are actually code enforcement officers. They have a paralegal that processes and sends out the notices for violation.”

Bradenton Beach has one code enforcement officer, Evan Harbus.

Cosby said the commission was discussing new rules without discussing funding for enforcement.

“I don’t know what you want me to do,” he said. “When you sit up there and have this discussion, and some of you have come into my office and say, ‘Do whatever you need to do,’ but you’re not going to raise taxes.”

He said the same discussion has been going on for years.

“I’m told I should beg the county and other resources for money,” Cosby said. “That’s not my job. That’s your job. You’re going to talk about making all these new beach regulations, but you’re not going to give any funding to help take care of it. It can’t work that way.”

“That’s why we need to have this discussion,” Chappie said.

Scaccianoce agreed the city lacks the enforcement capacity to act immediately. She said a new ordinance would make more sense once the city can budget for the dedicated staff needed to enforce it.

“Once we get to the point where we’re in a position that we can hire someone that can specifically be assigned, that’s when we have a conversation about an ordinance,” she said.

She noted that currently, citations issued for alcohol violations would be issued to individual beachgoers rather than the rental companies that provided the wine packages.

No vote was taken on drafting a cabana ordinance. The commission plans to revisit the issue, along with staffing and funding options, during future meetings.

Anna Maria revising beach cabana rental regulations

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria’s previously enacted beach cabana rental regulations are undergoing significant revisions.

On Thursday, Aug. 13, city commissioners unanimously approved the proposed revisions presented during the first reading of an amended version of the city’s parks and recreation ordinance, Ordinance 26-961. The commission-supported revisions will be finalized when adopted on second and final reading during a future meeting. The proposed revisions are scheduled to take effect Jan. 1.

The previously adopted version of the ordinance established the commercial activity and beach cabana rental regulations that took effect March 1. The proposed revisions will include the city entering into franchise agreements with three beach cabana rental vendors.

“No more than three franchise agreements will be effective at any time. City commission may change this limit by resolution,” the revised ordinance says.

Those without franchise agreements will not be allowed to operate in the city’s limited commercial activity area.

The revised ordinance will establish a numerical limit on how many rental cabanas can be set up per block in the six-block area between Magnolia and Oak avenues.

“No more than 36 commercial rental areas are permitted on any given day where permitted on the beach,” the ordinance now says. “No more than six commercial rental areas are permitted in each geographic location (block) on any given day.”

Cabanas, umbrellas and other temporary shade structures line the Anna Maria shoreline. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The six blocks referenced in the ordinance are Magnolia to Palm; Palm to Palmetto; Palmetto to Willow; Willow to Cedar; Cedar to Mangrove; and Mangrove to Oak avenues.

The ordinance notes the city commission can change the numerical limits via the adoption of a city resolution.

The numerical limits will help address concerns previously expressed by residents about the large number of rental cabanas being set up daily on the beach areas between Magnolia and Oak avenues.

Personally owned tents, cabanas and umbrellas are still allowed northwest of Magnolia Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The revised ordinance does not expand the existing cabana rental zone. Commercial cabana rentals will remain prohibited in front of the Sandbar Seafood & Spirits restaurant and along the public beach that extends to and includes Bean Point. Personally owned tents and cabanas are allowed in those areas.

“No commercial rental areas are permitted landward of the erosion control line, dune system or beach vegetation, whichever is most seaward,” the ordinance says.

Beachgoers shade themselves from the sun. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The ordinance maintains the previously adopted size and space limits that include temporary shade structures not exceeding 169 square feet of total ground coverage and no more than two commercial rental areas being placed within 50 linear feet of each other in any direction.

“Beach access must be unobstructed at all times,” the ordinance now says.

The ordinance will require a trash bag or trash receptacle to be placed in the cabana rental area.

The revisions include changing the allowed morning setup time from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. The removal of the rental beach equipment is to be completed by 6 p.m. or one hour prior to sunset, whichever is earlier – with a provision for equipment removals delayed by bad weather.

FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS

The revised ordinance says operators conducting the commercial rental of beach equipment activity must be franchised by the city, and after Jan. 1, no commercial rental activity shall occur without a franchise agreement with the city. Franchise agreements will be limited to 24 months.

The ordinance now says each commercial rental operator with a franchise agreement will be limited in the total number of commercial rental areas per day.

The ordinance says all commercially rented temporary shade structures must have the approved operator’s easily identifiable name, logo and/or website permanently affixed to the cabana canopy.

The ordinance says the city will conduct a franchise agreement application process every two years and applications will be accepted from Sept. 1 through Sept. 15 while the application process is open.

All applications will be evaluated by a committee appointed by the mayor. The committee would use evaluation criteria that includes the applicants’ experience and qualifications; the ability to comply with operational requirements; staffing and supervision; past regulatory or contractual performance; financial responsibility and insurance; equipment quality and maintenance; and proposed franchise compensation.

The ordinance says, “The city commission may accept or reject any or all applications, may negotiate with one or more applicants and may determine not to award any franchise if it finds that an award would not be in the city’s best interests.”

PUBLIC INPUT

A handful of beach cabana rental company owners and representatives attended the Aug. 13 meeting, but My Beach Concierge co-owner Peery Heldreth was the only operator who addressed the commission.

The setup time for rental cabanas will be pushed back to 9 a.m. beginning Jan. 1. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Heldreth sought clarification on several items of interest to potential vendors. Heldreth again expressed his previous concerns about pushing the setup time back to 9 a.m. – in part because it gets hotter as the day progresses.

After the discussion ended, a few other cabana company representatives told The Sun they were OK with the revisions.

Some folks still prefer a simple beach umbrella. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Major revisions to Anna Maria cabana rental regulations to be discussed Thursday

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, rental business.

ANNA MARIA – During the Thursday, Aug. 13, Anna Maria City Commission meeting that starts at 10 a.m., Mayor Mark Short will present to city commissioners proposed amendments to the parks and recreation ordinance, Ordinance 26-961, that established the commercial activity and beach cabana rental regulations that went into effect earlier this year.

The proposed changes include franchise agreements with a select and limited number of cabana rental vendors and a hard limit on how many vendors can operate per day and how many cabanas can be set up in the same designated rental zone between Magnolia and Oak avenues. The proposed changes also include moving the allowed setup time from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Public input will be allowed during Thursday’s discussion. To listen to the meeting by phone and to provide public comment, call 929-205-6099 and when prompted enter the meeting ID: 85392000280.

Here is a link to the proposed 15-page ordinance to be discussed Thursday. The proposed revisions and deletions are highlighted in red.

MEETING PACKET SUMMARY

The introduction in the summary document included in the meeting packet says, “Ordinance 26-961 revises Chapter 38, Parks and Recreation, to update regulations governing commercial activities on city beaches. The ordinance establishes a framework for managing commercial beach equipment rentals through franchise agreements while protecting public access, safety and environmentally sensitive coastal resources.”

Regarding the key changes proposed, the agenda document says, “The ordinance comprehensively revises Chapter 38 by establishing franchise requirements for commercial beach equipment rental operations, limiting the number, location and operating hours of commercial activities on city beaches, and requiring ownership disclosures and appropriate insurance coverage for operators. It also creates graduated penalties for repeated violations and requires advance written notice for certain temporary shade structure rentals within the Coastal Conservation Zone. These changes are intended to improve oversight and enforcement while balancing limited commercial activity with the preservation of public beach access and protection of the city’s coastal resources,” the agenda document says.

Regarding the purpose of the proposed ordinance amendments, the agenda document says, “The ordinance is intended to preserve public access to Anna Maria’s beaches, improve oversight of commercial activities, enhance enforcement, and protect public health, safety, welfare and coastal resources while allowing limited commercial operations consistent with the public interest.”

FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS

Regarding an annual registration program, the proposed ordinance says, “Registration means the annual authorization issued by the city allowing an operator to engage in the conduct of organized passive recreation on the beaches of the city, subject to compliance with this ordinance and all other applicable laws.”

The ordinance proposes that the city enter into franchise agreements with a limited number of beach cabana vendors.

The proposed ordinance says, “Franchise agreement means an agreement entered into between the city and an operator to conduct commercial rental of beach equipment activity in approved areas of the beach.”

It also says, “Geographic location means the following beach locations, using a straight line from the centerline of the named street to the water:

  • Magnolia Avenue to Palm Avenue;
  • Palm Avenue to Palmetto Avenue; 
  • Palmetto Avenue to Willow Avenue; 
  • Willow Avenue to Cedar Avenue; 
  • Cedar Avenue to Mangrove Avenue; 
  • Mangrove Avenue to Oak Avenue.”

Sec. 38-77 of the proposed ordinance says, “Operators conducting commercial rental of beach equipment activity must be franchised by the city. After Jan. 1, 2027, no commercial rental of beach equipment shall occur without a franchise agreement from the city. “Franchise agreement terms are limited to 24 months. No more than 36 commercial rental areas are permitted on any given day, where permitted on the beach, inclusive of geographic location limitations. The city commission may change this limit by resolution.

“No more than six commercial rental areas are permitted in each geographic location on any given day. The city commission may change this limit by resolution.

“No more than three franchise agreements will be effective at any time. The city commission may change this limit by resolution,” the proposed ordinance says.

The ordinance also says, “Each operator engaged in the commercial rental of beach equipment will be limited in the total number of commercial rental areas per day and total number of commercial rental areas per day in a geographic location as stipulated in the operator’s franchise agreement with the city. No commercial rental areas are permitted landward of the erosion control line, dune system or beach vegetation, whichever is most seaward,” the proposed ordinance says.

SETUP, REMOVAL

The proposed ordinance says, “Delivery and set-up may not occur prior to 9 a.m. Tear-down of rental beach equipment and removal from the beach shall be completed by 6 p.m. or one hour prior to sunset, whichever is earlier. During inclement weather events, tear-down after 6 p.m. or sunset may not be penalized provided tear-down commences as soon as the beach is safe to access.”

APPLICATION PROCESS

The proposed ordinance says, “The city will conduct a biennial application process to select operators to conduct commercial rental of beach equipment that will go into effect Jan. 1 of the following year. Franchise applications for the two-year franchise period will be accepted by the city between Sept. 1 and Sept. 15 in the year prior to the Jan. 1 commencement date of the franchise agreement. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered for the upcoming franchise period. Only applications that are complete and include all information and materials required by Sec. 38-88 will be eligible for consideration.”

The proposed ordinance includes a vendor application and review process. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The proposed ordinance says all applications will be evaluated by a committee appointed by the mayor, using the following criteria:

  • Experience and qualifications; 
  • Ability to comply with operational requirements; Safety and emergency procedures; 
  • Staffing and supervision; 
  • Past regulatory or contractual performance; 
  • Financial responsibility and insurance; 
  • Equipment quality and maintenance; 
  • Proposed franchise compensation; 
  • And other criteria identified in the application solicitation.

The proposed ordinance says, “The commission may reject all applications and submission of an application creates no entitlement to a franchise. The city commission may accept or reject any or all applications, may negotiate with one or more applicants, and may determine not to award any franchise if it finds that an award would not be in the city’s best interests.”

Residents push back on cabana rental regulations

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

 ANNA MARIA – City officials are receiving pushback from some city residents and property owners regarding city’s recently-enacted beach cabana rental regulations. 

Several Anna Maria residents expressed their concerns during the general public input portion of the April 9 city commission meeting. 

Some who spoke that day addressed the unintended consequences of allowing rented beach cabanas, tents and umbrellas only in a specific area, from Magnolia Avenue and Oak Avenue, while not allowing similar commercial activities in the city’s coastal conservation-zoned public beach areas. 

Non-rented cabana and tents are allowed in Anna Maria’s coastal conservation zone. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The new regulations for commercial cabana, tent and umbrellas rentals took effect March 15 and they are set forth in the amended parks and recreational ordinance city commissioners further clarified and adopted on March 26. 

The enacted city regulations restrict the commercial delivery, set up and removal of “temporary shade structures” that include cabanas, tents and umbrellas to the recreaetion open space-zoned area known as Gulf Front Park.

City regulations allow commercially rented temporary shade structures to be placed on privately-owned beachfront property located in the coastal conservation zone, with the property owner’s permission. City regulations also allow non-commercially-rented temporary shade structures to be placed in a coastal conservation zone.

PUBLIC CONCERNS

Palm Avenue resident Polly Ruggles was the first to address the commission during the April 9 meeting and she said she was also representing several other property owners on Palm Avenue, Magnolia Avenue, Gulf Boulevard and Palmetto Avenue.

Palm Avenue resident Molly Ruggles is concerned about the new cabana regulations. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Ruggles said she could not outline all her concerns in the three minutes allotted during public comment and she asked the city commission to revisit the restrictions that are now impacting residents and property owners on and near her block

“Palm to Magnolia has become what the commission didn’t want to occur. And that is, we have become the Palma Sola Causeway,” she said in reference to the highly commercialized beach areas along Manatee Avenue in west Bradenton. 

Ruggles said she’d like the commission to revisit the ordinance that limits temporary shade structure rentals to one specific beachfront area.

She said she wants the city to address “the disparate treatment between our neighbors to the north and our particular section of the beach.” 

She then said, “I can’t do that in three minutes, so I am requesting a meeting with the mayor and any particular city officials so that I can outline those concerns and request action to help us. We need it. The conditions have become intolerable. I have video evidence which I am happy to share with you – the amount and sheer number of tents on our block alone. In the last month, there have been 15 tents, two rows deep, sometimes three rows deep,” she said. 

Ruggles said the cabana companies are complying with the regulation that states no more than two commercial rental areas containing temporary shade structures may be placed within 50 linear feet of each other. 

“While they are complying with the 50-foot regulation, there’s nowhere for us to enjoy,” she said as her three minutes expired. 

Speaking next, My Beach Concierge owner Peery Heldreth said he completely agreed with Ruggles’ comments. 

He said his company accepted 34 cabana rental reservations prior to the new regulations taking effect from folks planning to visit Anna Maria. Heldreth said those with pending reservations were told they had two choices: relocate their cabana rental to an area within the allowed commercial activity zone or cancel their reservation with a full refund.

He said the majority of those clients revised their reservations, but most wanted to be as close to Magnolia Avenue as possible because of easier access to the paid parking lots at the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Gulf Drive; with additional paid parking available further away, along Spring Avenue.

Peery said his clients also wanted to know how far the walk would be from their cabana rental area to the Sandbar restaurant at the end of Spring Avenue. 

COMMISSIONER SPEAKS

After a few more residents shared their concerns, joined by CabanUp co-owner Kevin Crump, City Commissioner Chris Arendt said the comments being given that afternoon dovetailed perfectly into his agenda item request to discuss allowing some limited commercial activity in the coastal conservation-zoned public beach areas from Spring Avenue northwest to Coconut Avenue 

Commissioner Chris Arendt proposed expanding the allowed cabana rental area. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“I had a sneaky suspicion this would happen,” Arendt said in regard to allowing cabana rentals in the recreation open space-zoned area but not in the nearby coastal conservation-zoned areas. 

He said people have historically been allowed to set up commercially rented cabanas and tents in those areas and they want to continue doing so because of the available parking and the close proximity to the Sandbar.

“That general vicinity lends itself to people wanting to be there,” he said. 

“I understand our intent is to try and make it not like the causeway. I feel that if we do allow a limited amount of cabanas in the coastal conservation zones, that would spread it out more,” he said, noting the regulations could possibly be stricter in the coastal conservation zones than in the recreation open space zone. 

“I think to ban it carte blanche is close-minded. I think it’s really doing us a disservice. A lot of people want to be in those areas and they do have the right to be safe from the sun,” Arendt said. 

Arendt said he is “perfectly good” with continuing to ban every other commercial activity in the coastal conservation zones. 

In response to a question from Arendt, City Attorney Becky Vose said a portion of the coastal conservation zone could be rezoned to recreation open space, which would then allow commercial cabana rental activities in the rezoned area. 

Commissioner John Lynch didn’t lend his support to allowing commercial cabana rentals in the coastal conservation zone that he feels should continue to be protected as such. 

Commissioner Gary McMullen said he would not have an issue extending the recreation open space zone to Elm or Coconut, but he wonders if the Sandbar restaurant owners want commercial cabana rentals taking place on the public beach area between the restaurant and the Gulf. 

Commissioner Kathy Morgan Johnson said there should be a limit on how many cabana and tent rental companies are allowed to operate in the permitted commercial activity areas. 

Palm Avenue resident Mary Helen Dean said, “We are in crisis.” 

Commericially-rented beach cabana rentals are allowed between Magnolia and Oak avenues. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Former commissioner Doug Copeland said, “In case you haven’t noticed, our beaches are overcrowded. I think it’s somewhat crazy to open up more space when we have too many already. The conservation area is what it says: Conservation.” 

Anna Maria resident and North Shore Café owner Colleen Geller said the commercial activity taking place on the public beaches is taking away the beach experience for people who live here –and for people who can’t afford to rent a cabana. 

She said it’s reaching the point where people are essentially buying a spot on the beach. 

Several other people also spoke before the discussion ended. The commission took no formal action on these matters and the commercial beach activity discussions are expected to continue during future meetings. 

Anna Maria adopts revised commercial beach activity regulations 

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria City Commission has updated the city’s recently enacted commercial beach activity regulations that pertain to temporary shade structures (aka rented cabanas, tents and umbrellas). 

The revised city regulations that first took effect on March 15 allow certain commercial beach activities to be conducted only in the recreation open space-zoned Gulf Front Park area that extends from the northerly side of Magnolia Avenue to the southernly side of Oak Avenue in Anna Maria. 

According to Mayor Mark Short, as stated on March 12, non-commercially rented temporary shade structures are still allowed in the coastal conservation-zoned public beach areas that include the beach areas near the Sandbar restaurant and the beach areas at and near Bean Point. 

On Thursday, March 26, the commission adopted ordinance 26-956, an ordinance that was presented on first reading during the commission’s March 12 meeting. Ordinance 26-956 amends the Chapter 38 city code provisions set forth in a similar ordinance adopted on Feb. 26 (Ordinance 26-952), after many months of public discussion and debate.

After adopting Ordinance 26-956 with no additional commission discussion or public input given on March 26, the mayor and commission were then presented with the first reading of Ordinance 26-958, an ordinance that when adopted on second and final reading will establish a registration program for service providers. 

Similar to the city’s short-term vacation rental program, the registration fees will be established each year by the commission’s adoption of a fee-related city resolution. The second reading of the registration ordinance is expected to be presented for second and final reading on Thursday, April 9.

The proposed registration ordinance also contains provisions that would allow beachfront property owners to utilize commercially delivered, set up and removed cabanas, tents, umbrellas and other allowed items on their privately-owned, coastal conservation-zoned upland properties, but they must provide the city with 18 hours’ advance notice before doing so. 

ADOPTED REGULATIONS

First presented on March 12 and adopted in March 26, one of the whereas clauses contained in Ordinance 26-956 says, “The city commission has determined that the (previously adopted) ordinance should be clarified to expressly state that a Commercial Rental Area is permitted for purposes of renting temporary shade structures as defined in the ordinance.”

According to the adopted ordinance, “A Commercial Rental Area for the purposes of renting temporary shade structures is permitted with the following conditions: “Commercial Rental Areas must be pre-ordered. No more than two Commercial Rental Areas may be placed within 50 linear feet of each other, measured in any direction. Adjacent Commercial Rental Areas shall not exceed 28 linear feet in any direction.

“Signage and/or advertising may not exceed four square feet, must include the owner name and contact information, must be located on the Temporary Shade Structure within the Commercial Rental Area and may not exceed the roofline of the Temporary Shade Structure. No stand-alone signage is permitted. 

“Any individual or entity providing a Commercial Rental Area must have on file with the city a valid proof of insurance certificate with coverage as stipulated by resolution of the city commission. 

“Delivery and set-up may not occur prior to 7 a.m. Tear-down must be complete and removed from the beaches by dusk. During inclement weather events, tear down after dusk may not be penalized provided tear down commences as soon as the beach is safe to access.”

The Chapter 38 code revisions included in the Feb. 26 meeting packet included the following definitions: “Commercial Rental Area means an area temporary in nature not to exceed 169 square feet in total of ground coverage, and 13 linear feet extending in any direction and includes at least one Temporary Shade Structure.” 

“Temporary shade structure means a portable freestanding shelter providing sun protection such as a tent, umbrella, canopy or the like. Temporary shade structures shall not exceed 169 square feet of ground coverage in total, and 13 linear feet in any direction, inclusive of any poles, pegs, tie downs, anchors, weights, sandbags or the like,” according to Chapter 38.

According to City Planner Ashley Austin, this type of temporary beach dining area is not allowed as a commercial beach activity on a public beach in Anna Maria, according to current city code. – Boho Beach Escape | Submitted

According to a March 27 email City Planner Ashley Austin sent to Mayor Mark Short, City Attorney Becky Vose and Commissioner Chris Arendt, a temporary beach dining area that consists of a portable dining table that holds one or more umbrellas and is accompanied by portable chairs and other accessories is not allowed according to the city regulations now in effect. 

PERSONAL SHADE STRUCTURES

The Anna Maria Commission held its first beach cabana regulation discussion in July 2025. During the ensuing commission discussion on Aug. 14, Mayor Mark Short said, “Commercial activity is not listed as a permissible activity on any of our beaches. In fact, our land use ordinance even goes as far as to say you can’t even have more than one-pole tents on the coastal conservation part of our beach.”

During the March 12, 2026, meeting, Short addressed one-pole and four-pole shade structures and the misconception that personally owned, non-commercially rented temporary shade structures are prohibited in coastal conservation-zoned beach areas. 

“I just wanted to make it clear that in the ordinance that was passed, that ordinance better defined beaches. And that means all beaches, whether they’re in the coastal conservation zone or in the parks and rec zone. As part of that ordinance, we say that four-post tents can be on the beaches. I know there’s been some chatter out there about mono poles only in the coastal conservation zone, but the ordinance that was passed makes it clear that people who have four-post tents can set those tents up on the beach, including in the coastal conservation zone. That was part of the ordinance we didn’t really highlight, but it did clarify the concerns about mono poles. The mayor is not against people being protected from the sun.”

The March 26 meeting packet did not contain in their entirety the most recently amended version of the Chapter 38 code provisions. The complete, amended Chapter 38 provisions that were included in the Feb. 26 meeting packet did not contain any specific references to four-post temporary shade structures being placed in the city’s coastal conservation zones.

Non-commercially-rented beach cabanas still allowed in coastal conservation zones

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business.

ANNA MARIA – After being further clarified on Thursday, March 12, the city of Anna Maria’s commercial beach cabana rental regulations took effect on Sunday, March 15.

In Anna Maria, commercially-rented beach cabanas, tents and other temporary shade structures are now only allowed in the recreation open space-zoned area known as Gulf Front Park, which extends from Oak Avenue to Magnolia Avenue – southeast of the Sandbar restaurant.

In Anna Maria, commercially-rented cabanas and tents are now only allowed between Oak Avenue and Magnolia Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Non-commercially rented cabanas and tents are still allowed in the coastal conservation-zoned beach areas that include the beaches in front of the Sandbar restaurant and at Bean Point.

Adopted in late February after numerous city commission discussions that began last year, Anna Maria’s amended parks and recreation regulations do not allow commercial cabana and tent rentals in the coastal conservation-zoned areas that include the beach areas in front of the Sandbar restaurant, on the beach areas between the Sandbar and Bean Point, on the Bean Point beach areas or on the Bayshore Park beach areas.

When the beach cabana rental discussions began last year, Mayor Mark Short surprised many when he said the city code adopted long ago prohibited anything more than single-pole, umbrella-like shade structures in the city’s coastal conservation zones.

During the March 12 city commission meeting, Short clarified that non-commercially-rented cabanas and tents are allowed in those coastal conservation zones as long as they’re located seaward of the dune line – where a dune line exists.

Short said he is not in any way opposed to beachgoers protecting themselves from the sun by using non-commercially-rented cabanas and tents in the city’s coastal conservation zones.

During the March 12 meeting, city commissioners adopted an emergency ordinance to be followed by the March 26 adoption of a “permanent” regular city ordinance that specifies which commercial beach activities are allowed in the recreation open space-zoned beach area known as Gulf Front Park.

The emergency ordinance and the permanent ordinance contain the following language: “Commercial rental of beach equipment means the business or activity of renting, leasing or providing for compensation any beach-related equipment, including Temporary Shade Structures and accessory beach equipment including but not limited to chairs, chaises, coolers, and baby items or similar equipment for use on the public beaches of the city within a Commercial Rental Area and including the delivery, setup and tear-down of the aforementioned equipment. Commercial Rental Area means an area temporary in nature not to exceed 169 square feet in total of ground coverage, and thirteen 13 linear feet extending in any direction and includes at least one temporary shade structure.”

When contacted on March 19 and asked if stand-alone beach chair rentals and other commercial activities are allowed in the specific area where temporary shade structures are allowed, Mayor Mark Short said, “The ordinance specifically requires a cabana rental be included in the area designated as a commercial rental area.”

Beach cabana rental rules may change

Beach cabana rental rules may change

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – No final decisions have been made, but the mayor and commissioners are considering allowing beach cabana rentals in some public beach areas and not allowing them in others.

Current city code adopted many years ago doesn’t allow any commercial activity in the city’s coastal conservation and recreation open space zones that comprise most of the public beach areas in Anna Maria.

City code also doesn’t allow multi-legged cabanas and tents in the coastal conservation zones, regard­less of who owns them and sets them up.

The mayor and commissioners first discussed commercial beach activities, including cabana rentals, on July 24 and they continued those discussions on Aug. 14.

Reiterating statements made at the previous meeting, Mayor Mark Short said, “Commercial ac­tivity is not listed as a permissible activity on any of our beaches. In fact, our land use ordinance even goes as far as to say you can’t even have more than one-pole tents on the coastal conservation part of our beach.”

Highlighted in green on the city’s zoning map, the coastal conservation zones include the lengthy beach shoreline that extends from the southwest end of Magnolia Avenue near the Sandbar restaurant and around Bean Point to Jacaranda Road. The coastal conservation zones also include the Gulf shoreline that extends south from Oak Avenue to the city limits at Beach Avenue; and the narrow, residen­tial Tampa Bay shoreline along South Bay Drive from Magnolia Avenue to the northeastern tip of the city near the Galati marina.

Beach cabana rental rules may change
The areas highlighted in green are coastal conservation zones. The areas highlight in blue are recreation open space zones. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted

Highlighted in blue, the largest beachfront recreation open space zone extends along the Tampa Bay shoreline between Hibiscus Street to the northeast end of Magnolia Avenue and includes the Bayfront Park and City Pier shorelines. A smaller beachfront recreation open space zone extends along the Gulf shoreline from Magnolia Avenue to Oak Avenue.

Short said the first question the commission needed to answer was whether they wanted to leave the current ordinance as it is and begin enforcing the existing prohibitions and restrictions that are not currently being enforced, and haven’t been in the past.

“If the commission chooses to leave the ordinance as it is, we will immediately begin enforcing it,” Short said.

The commissioners reached preliminary consensus that they don’t want the enforcement of the existing prohibitions and restric­tions to begin until they decide if and how they’re going to change the existing city regulations.

The commissioners also reached preliminary consensus that they do want to change the regulation that only allows single-pole shade structures (umbrellas), but not cabanas and tents, in coastal conservation zones.

Beach cabana rental rules may change
Single pole umbrellas are currently the only shade structures allowed in Anna Maria’s coastal conservation zones. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Based on the comments made during the Aug. 14 meeting, the commission appears to be leaning toward allowing cabana rentals in the recreation open space zones, but not in the coastal conservation zones that include a significant por­tion of the city-controlled beaches.

Commissioner Kathy Morgan-Johnson said, “I think we should allow the cabanas,” but she didn’t specify which zone or zones she was referring to.

Johnson said she doesn’t have strong feelings either way about logos and other advertising being placed on rented cabanas, if allowed.

Commissioner Gary McMullen doesn’t support cabana rentals in the coastal conservation zones and he doesn’t support company logos or advertising being placed on the cabanas that would have to be reserved in advance before being placed in the recreation open space zones, if that’s what the commission decides to do.

Commissioner John Lynch supports allowing cabana rentals in the recreation open space zones. He’s currently opposed to allowing cabana rentals in the coastal conservation zones but he feels more discussion is needed.

Commissioner Chris Arendt supports cabana rentals being allowed in some form or fashion but he hasn’t arrived at a final conclusion and he feels more discussion is needed.

Commission Chair Charlie Salem is still evaluating the options and he wants more input from residents and vendors before making any final decisions.

Short said the commission also needs to decide if it wants to allow any additional commercial activities on the public beaches.

“We can decide what commercial activities we would like to allow. Cabana rentals? Yoga instruction? There may be others? We need to be very specific in terms of what we will allow in terms of commercial activity,” he said.

Other Island cities

Holmes Beach Development Services Director Chad Minor and Code Compliance Chief James Thomas attended the Anna Maria meeting and Minor briefly addressed the commission.

Beach cabana rental rules may change
Development Services Director Chad Minor discussed Holmes Beach’s cabana advertising prohibition. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Regarding Holmes Beach’s sign regulations that prohibit advertis­ing on the beach (including cabanas and tents), Minor said, “At this time, we’re approaching it from the commercial advertising aspect. We’ve got most of the vendors to comply. The other concern we had was the place­ment of tents before they were actually rented. Someone could walk by, scan the QR code and then rent the tent. If they’ve got a pre-arranged reservation, that’s how we’re approaching it.

“We will be diving into this in more detail. One of our other concerns is it’s tents today, what could it be tomorrow? SUP boards (stand-up paddleboards), kayaks? I get more Jet-Ski rental requests a week than I’ve ever had. There’s a lot of businesses that want to be out here, and rightfully so. We just have to learn how to balance that,” Minor said.

Short said he received a copy of a cabana rental-related draft ordinance the city of Bradenton Beach is working on, but he didn’t know if it had been presented to Bradenton Beach commissioners yet. Short said the draft ordinance proposes limiting each cabana or tent to 10 square feet with no more than two enclosed sides. The draft ordinance currently proposes prohibiting commercial signage or branding, imposing a limit of 20 cabanas per licensed vendor, imposing a restriction on how many cabanas can be set up side by side and imposing a restriction on the number of chairs placed under the cabanas.

The Bradenton Beach commis­sioners are expected to discuss the draft ordinance during their Thursday, Sept. 11 commission workshop.

Public input

Longtime North Shore Drive resident John Dicks said, “The world’s not going to end if we don’t allow rental cabanas on our beaches. Look deep and hard as you consider changing our ordinances.”

Beach cabana rental rules may change
My Beach Concierge owner Peery Heldreth asked the commission to allow cabana rentals in coastal conservation zones. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

My Beach Concierge owners Peery and Becky Heldreth attended the July 24 and Aug. 14 meetings.

During the recent meeting, Peery asked the commission to allow cabana rentals in the coastal conservation zones.

“We’re talking about a tremendous amount of area here in the city of Anna Maria,” he said.

He also said some cabana rental clients are physically unable to transport and set up their own cabanas, including senior clients and those with disabilities.

Beach cabana rental rules may change
Former commissioner Brian Seymour addressed the potential impacts on other businesses. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Anna Maria General Store owner and former city commissioner Brian Seymour said enforcing a ban on all commercial beach activities except cabana rentals could have unintended impacts on other businesses, includ­ing beach weddings and restaurants and food delivery services that deliver to beachgoers.

“There’s a lot more to this than just beach cabanas,” Seymour said, and he suggested the commission host a public workshop before making any final decisions.

Short said beach weddings are regulated by city-issued special event permits but Salem acknowledged other industries could be impacted by the commission’s future decisions.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do on this,” Salem said.

Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches prohibited

Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches prohibited

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – While discussing beach cabana rentals and other com­mercial activities occurring on public beaches, Mayor Mark Short said city code prohibits all commercial activity in beach areas that carry the city’s coastal conservation or recreation open space zoning designations.

During the July 24 Anna Maria City Commission meeting, commissioners, cabana rental company owners and employees and the public were also informed that multi-legged cabanas and tents of any kind, commercial or personal, are not allowed in coastal conservation-zoned areas.

According to the color-coded zoning map included in the meeting packet, the coastal conservation zones highlighted in green include the entire public shoreline from Magnolia Avenue to the northern tip of Bean Point. The recreation open space zones highlighted in blue include the Bayfront Park and City Pier shorelines.

Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches prohibited
The areas highlighted in green are zoned coastal conservation and the areas highlighted in blue are zoned recreation open space. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted

“We have an ordinance on the books that addresses what is permitted in the blue and green areas. The ordinance does not provide for the conduct of any commercial activity in either the coastal conservation zone area or the recreational zone area,” Short said.

Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches prohibited
Mayor Mark Short doesn’t want Anna Maria’s beaches to resemble the commercial-heavy Palma Sola causeway along Manatee Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Participating by phone, City Attorney Becky Vose said the city controls the public beaches and state and federal laws don’t restrict a city’s ability to regulate commercial activities. In regard to privately-owned beaches not regulated by the city, Vose said the upland property owner owns the land up to the mean high-water line and rented or personally-owned tents and cabanas can be set up on privately-owned beachfront property.

Vose said her law firm represents six beach communities throughout the state and each one regulates com­mercial beach activities differently. She said the city of Cocoa Beach allows a limited number of beach vendors to enter into 7-year agreements with the city and if they don’t comply with the city’s insurance, operational and cleaning requirements, those agreements are nullified and offered to another vendor.

Regarding city-regulated beaches, Vose said the city has a great deal of flexibility and can pretty much do what it wants.

“Right now, you do not permit any commercial activity,” she said. “The city has not been enforcing those requirements, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t start. You need to decide how you want to handle these and give direction to staff. We can either draft new ordinances or we can enforce what we have. There is no compulsion under state law or city code to allow any commercial uses on the beach.”

Commissioner Charlie Salem asked Vose to explain any restrictions that apply specifically to the coastal conservation-zoned areas. Vose said the only shelter-like item allowed in a coastal conservation zone is a single-pole umbrella or something similar. She said multi-legged tents and cabanas are not allowed in coastal conservation zones but that’s something the commission could change.

Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches prohibited
Current city code prohibits tents and cabanas in beach areas with coastal conservation zoning designations. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Regarding commercial activity, Vose said any changes desired by the mayor and commission need to be clearly written to continue prohibiting any unwanted commercial activity such as food vendors and other types of rentals.

“You can regulate all of those things and you can prohibit them also,” Vose said.

Participating by phone, Commis­sioner John Lynch said, “We have a multi-layer problem that we’re trying to solve. We’re not current enforcing the current code, so I think there’s a bunch of work we need to do.”

When opening the discussion for public input, Salem said, “Think of this as your opportunity to help us start thinking about the issues involved on any side of this issue.”

In response to a question from city resident Wendy Smith about boat-based vendors, Short said the city’s jurisdiction only extends 10 feet into the water, with the exception of the vessel exclusion zone offshore of Bayfront Park where motorized vessels are prohibited.

Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches prohibited
My Beach Concierge owner Peery Heldreth addressed the mayor and commissioners. – Joe Hendr

Addressing a concern previously raised in Holmes Beach, My Beach Concierge owner Peery Heldreth said none of the cabana vendors in the commission chambers that day are setting up cabanas that aren’t reserved in advance. Heldreth said his company has a state license, pays monthly sales taxes, carries liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. Peery said his company doesn’t set up cabanas on Bean Point. He said his cabanas are commercial grade and he pays his employees $20 an hour, plus tips. He requires his employees to pick up any trash they see on the beach and they’re instructed to stay clear of sea turtle nests. Heldreth asked the mayor and commission to allow the current cabana rental activities to continue while the commission works through these issues.

Anna Maria resident David Ridley said cabanas and tents help protect people from getting skin cancer.

Commissioner Gary McMullen said the city is not enforcing the ordinances on the books and the city hasn’t prevented anyone from putting up a cabana or a tent, but the commission now needs to decide if the existing regulations will be enforced or changed. Short said the commissioners must first decide at a future meeting if they want to keep the current regulations.

Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches prohibited
The Palma Sola causeway in west Bradenton is a popular place for beach vendors. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches prohibited
Several vendors offer Personal watercraft rentals at the Palma Sola Causeway in west Bradenton. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“I do want to be clear about one thing. This is not about just the cabanas. This is about commercial activity in general on the beaches,” Short said. “I don’t want our beaches to turn into the Manatee Avenue causeway. I don’t want horses on the beach. I don’t even want dogs on the beach.”

Dogs are not allowed on Anna Maria Island beaches.

Related coverage:
Holmes Beach officials decline to increase beach cabana regulations
Beach cabana rentals under scrutiny
Mayor concerned about beach cabana rentals

 

Mayor concerned about beach cabana rentals

Mayor concerned about beach cabana rentals

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Mayor Judy Titsworth is concerned about beach cabana rental signage and cabanas being placed in prime beach locations before they’re rented.

Titsworth shared these concerns during the June 24 Holmes Beach City Commission meeting. She said it was brought to the city’s attention that company logos and website references appeared on rented beach cabanas.

“You’re not allowed to have signs on the beaches and it’s advertising for businesses. There’s not sup­posed to be commercial use on preservation (zoned) land,” she said.

Mayor concerned about beach cabana rentals
Mayor Judy Titsworth is concerned about commercial activity on public land. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

According to Holmes Beach city code: “Any sign to be located on property designated as preservation shall require the approval of the city commission prior to the issuance of a permit with the fee for such sign to be set by the city commission.”

“It was an eyesore, so we asked them to remove all of their advertisements and signage off their cabanas,” Titsworth said.

Cabana rental companies were given until June 27 to remove the signage and advertising from their cabanas before police officers and code compli­ance officers began issuing citations.

Titsworth noted that federal law prohibits the city from regulating what the signs say but the city can regulate their placement, size and style.

Staking a claim

Titsworth said that eliminating cabana signage addresses one concern but the city also received complaints about cabana rental companies staking out prime beach locations by placing cabanas and chairs in those locations before they are reserved and rented.

“Some of these companies are actually going out first thing in the morning and putting out a lot of their cabanas in a lot of really great spots and they’re claiming them before other people can get to them and they’re not rented,” Titsworth said.

She said some non-reserved cabanas have QR codes on them that allow some­one to rent them after they’ve been placed on the beach without a reservation.

“They’re making money off of it and this is public land. How do we allow them to commercialize and make money on public sand when we don’t allow other people?” Titsworth said of the cabana rentals in general.

“We’re looking at these different types of things that could potentially move in there. My goal is that our beaches don’t become the causeway,” Titsworth said in reference to the Palma Sola Causeway along Manatee Avenue in west Bradenton. In recent years, the east end of causeway has become heavily saturated with commercial activities that include horseback rides, personal watercraft rentals and more.

Titsworth said city code prohibits commercial transactions in public spaces but most of those transactions are now conducted through company websites or online payment services like Venmo and Zelle.

Mayor concerned about beach cabana rentals
These beach cabanas contained no exterior signage and had been reserved in advance. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Titsworth said she, City At­torney Erica Augello, Development Services Director Chad Minor and Code Compliance Chief James Thomas are researching what more can be done to regulate commercial activities on the beaches and how other coastal communities address these concerns.

“It gets harder and harder to enforce. Everybody’s trying to make money and they’re doing it now on public land and we’ve got to reel it in,” Titsworth said. “And there’s more things people are going to be coming up with in order to profit off the beaches. What would prevent someone from dropping off 25 kayaks and a QR code and pick them up at the end of the day?”

Commissioner Carol Whitmore questioned whether the use of state and federal funds to renourish the beaches might limit the city’s ability to regulate commercial beach activi­ties, asking whether a city-issued occupational license is required.

Titsworth said occupational licenses pertain to ‘brick and mortar’ businesses that have actual physical locations but some cabana compa­nies don’t have a primary physical location in Holmes Beach.

Mayor concerned about beach cabana rentals
Beach cabanas provide beachgoers with shade and shelter from the sun. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Commissioner Dan Diggins asked whether Manatee County has any regulations that address commercial activities at the county-owned Manatee Beach. Titsworth said she’s not aware of anything other than the county sign restrictions.

According to county code, “Private vendors, concessionaires providing concession services or activities in county parks may only do so by obtaining a concessionaire permit for such activity, or a franchise license agreement, and paying a franchise license fee.”

Manatee County uses the same contracted beach concessionaires at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach and at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.

Commissioner Terry Schafer asked whether the city’s goal is to prohibit beach cabana rentals. Titsworth said that wasn’t the intent, but she questions how the city can allow beach cabana rentals on preservation-zoned public land when other commercial activities are not allowed.

“It’s a fine line. We’ve got to do some more work,” Titsworth said.

Mayor concerned about beach cabana rentals
On June 26, beach cabanas occupied a significant portion of the 68th Street beach access shoreline. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

A visit to the 68th Street beach access at 10 a.m. on June 26 (a Thursday) revealed beach cabanas lining the shoreline in both direc­tions and occupying much of the area closest to the water. Some cabanas were occupied, some were not and it was not clear which cabanas were rentals and which were not.