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Tram operator asked to focus on beach parking spaces

Tram operator asked to focus on beach parking spaces

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

BRADENTON BEACH – The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) members want the CRA-funded Old Town Trams to serve more people who park in the Manatee County-owned parking spaces at Cortez Beach and Coquina Beach.

The unpaved Cortez Beach parking spaces are located along the west side of Gulf Drive South, just south of Bridge Street, from Fourth Street South to 13th Street South. The recently paved and soon-to-be-paved parking spaces at Coquina Beach are located at the south end of the city.

The Old Town Tram shuttle service pilot program is now in its second year and the current one-year contract with Joshua LaRose’s EASYParking Group expires in or around November. Before that contract expires, CRA members must decide whether to continue the experimental pilot program, enter into a permanent contract with LaRose, seek another private operator to provide similar services at no expense to the CRA or simply abandon the publicly-funded tram shuttle concept.

The CRA members’ long-term goal is to install a dedicated tram path along the Cortez Beach parking lot to alleviate the need for the trams to travel in the heavy traffic along Gulf Drive.

County officials have expressed preliminary support for a dedicated path and other tram-related amenities, but those plans can’t be pursued until an extensive utility improvement project that includes the Cortez Beach parking lot is completed. According to CRA member John Chappie, county officials have a definitive timetable as to when that project will start and end.

The other long-term goal is for tram advertising revenues to provide all or most of the funds needed to cover the monthly operating costs.

Concerns and solutions

Each month, LaRose provides a report that details ridership, routes traveled and advertising revenues generated.

During the April 6 CRA meeting, LaRose said the trams generated $5,475 in advertising revenues in March, which equates to 57% of the $9,665 monthly costs, with the CRA paying the remaining $4,190 balance.

LaRose said 5,632 passengers rode the two electric trams in March, with tram drivers picking up 169 passengers at the south end of the Coquina Beach parking lot and 1,102 passengers along Cortez Beach.

City attorney and CRA liaison Ricinda Perry noted the 169 passengers picked up from Coquina Beach equaled about five people per day.

“I certainly wouldn’t recommend this board invest more funds into it if it’s not being used,” she said.

Perry said there are more than 1,300 parking spaces available at the nearby county beaches compared to the dozen or so parking spaces near the Bradenton Beach Police Department where the trams frequently travel.

“The objective is to flip those numbers around. I need to know why that’s not happening on the beachside,” she said.

LaRose said his drivers tell him the heavy traffic presents challenges when traveling to the southern beach parking areas and a dedicated tram path would help. He committed to asking his drivers to get feedback from passengers as to why they don’t utilize the beach parking spaces.

Chappie noted the Cortez Beach parking area is three-quarters of a mile long and could be divided into three primary points to load and unload tram passengers. Chappie said the tram drivers should be driving through the Cortez Beach parking lot rather than on Gulf Drive and be looking for additional passengers along the way.

“The last thing the (tram) driver wants to do is get in that traffic,” CRA member Ed Chiles added.

Tram operator asked to focus on beach parking spaces
The Old Town Trams operate seven days a week. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Perry asked LaRose what else can be done to encourage people to utilize the Cortez Beach and Coquina Beach parking spaces as originally intended.

LaRose said he could conduct a test run in late April or early May with one of the two carts only traveling between Bridge Street and the beach parking areas. The operating hours have been added to banners that promote the free service and he suggested placing another banner at or near Coquina Beach.

He also said digital QR codes have been created to share with the businesses in the CRA district. Accessed by cell phone, the QR codes will provide instant information about the tram service and how to hail a ride. To request a ride, call 941-404-6240.

The Old Town Trams operate daily between the Cortez Bridge and Coquina Beach from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 5-10 p.m.

Bradenton Beach mayoral candidates discuss city issues

Bradenton Beach mayoral candidates discuss city issues

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Voters will soon decide whether incumbent John Chappie or challenger David Galuszka serves as the city’s next mayor.

The mayor’s race will conclude with in-person voting at the Bradenton Beach Fire Hall, 201 Second St. N., on Tuesday, Nov. 2. The deadline to register to vote in the 2021 elections was Monday, Oct. 4. Vote by mail voting in the mayor’s race is already underway and Saturday, Oct. 23 is the deadline to request a vote by mail ballot.

Commissioners Jan Vosburgh and Jake Spooner are running unopposed and will automatically earn additional two-year terms in office.

Candidate interviews

The Sun recently interviewed both mayoral candidates at their Bradenton Beach homes.

Chappie has lived in Bradenton Beach for the past 48 years. He spent nearly 20 years in the construction business, working his way up to a foreman for Westra Construction, where he led a crew whose duties included repair work and testing water and sewer lines.

Chappie seeks his third consecutive term as mayor and his sixth mayoral term overall. After serving three full or partial terms as mayor, Chappie served two four-year terms as a Manatee County commissioner. He returned to the city commission in 2016, was elected mayor in 2017 and, running unopposed, was reelected in 2019.

Galuszka has lived in Bradenton Beach for about two and a half years. He’s a retired air traffic controller whose career began as a member of the United States Air Force and continued as an air traffic controller for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Galuszka retired from the Air Force in 2005 and retired from the FAA in 2019.

Why do you want to serve as the Bradenton Beach Mayor?

Galuszka: “I think it’s time for a change. I’ve had many voters encourage me to run for that specific reason. I may not have a political science degree, but what I do have is the desire, the energy and the commitment to serve the people of Bradenton Beach to the best of my abilities. I would bring a fresh perspective, new ideas and a long history of public service. I was a public servant as an air traffic controller and of course as a member of the military.”

Chappie: “It’s my hometown. I love serving. I want to help out where I can with the neighbors and with our community. I fell in love with Bradenton Beach in 1974 and decided this was where I wanted to live the rest of my life. I’ve served the community on various boards for 37 continuous years. Working together, we’ve been able to make a difference. Through those years, I’ve learned so much more about the community – and that doesn’t happen overnight.”

Why should Bradenton Beach voters vote for you?

Chappie: “I’m in my 48th year as a resident. I know the community and they know me. They know if I say something I mean it. Promises made, promises kept. Over the years, I’ve developed friendships and developed a tremendous number of contacts on the local level, with the other Island cities, at the county level and at the state level. I know who to go to, and that’s key to getting things done for our community and our residents. You just can’t get that overnight. That takes experience and longevity; and it’s proven beneficial with all the funds and appropriations and grants we’re getting – about $8 million in recent years.”

Galuszka: “Just because you have a long résumé, that doesn’t make you a better leader. As an air traffic manager, I had 12 employees working under me. I had to negotiate with the union, I was the quality assurance rep, I had to schedule medical exams. That was similar to running a small city. I want to improve on some things, like the imbalance of single-family homes and annual rentals versus vacation rentals. Maybe we need to look at general obligation bonds, using the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) and TIFF funds and working with private investors to address the affordable housing shortage. Overall, some residents feel their voices aren’t being heard, and, of course, parking is an issue.”

What are some of the most important issues the city faces now and over the next two years?

Chappie: “It hasn’t changed in the last several years: Tallahassee’s home rule attacks and how the state Legislature’s actions have changed the course of every city, especially tourist communities like we have on Anna Maria Island. It’s destroyed our residential neighborhoods. We thought our residential areas were protected, but Tallahassee doesn’t consider a party house to be a business. You can build them in residential areas and the state ties your hands with regards to how you regulate them. You can’t single the party houses out. Undergrounding our utility lines and continuing our drainage improvements are also very important.”

Galuszka: “Affordable housing, parking, traffic, drainage and expediting the city’s permitting process and the time it takes to permit a simple project like putting in some stairs. I have to resort back to the affordable housing, especially for the service industry employees. Most of them can’t afford to live here. I realized there’s limited space, but I still believe there’s something we can do about that.”

What are your thoughts on the city’s past and ongoing efforts to improve drainage?

Galuszka: “I believe drainage should be a priority. I see big improvements in that area with the projects the city’s doing now and I support what they’re doing. But on an island, it’s inherent that we do more. The area by me, on Highland Avenue, sometimes looks like a lake.”

Chappie: “We currently have a little more than $3 million for stormwater projects. We’re going to be addressing the areas in most dire need: the end of Avenue A, where 20th and 21st Place meet. That whole area is going to be addressed. One of the top priorities is that the water’s not going to run back onto those properties. The engineers are working on that now. We may also be able to possibly do all of Avenue B to 26th Street North, where the Sandpiper (mobile home community) is.”

The city’s comprehensive plan and land development code prohibit standalone parking garages. What else can be done to improve parking in Bradenton Beach?

Chappie: “We have time limits on Bridge Street. If our police department and code enforcement officer recognize people are there all day long (for beach parking) they will issue warnings and try to get them to move. I helped secure an after-hours parking agreement with the post office and we’ve improved our parking areas at Lou Barolo Park. The CRA is doing the parking trams that pick up people along Cortez Beach and near Coquina Beach. The city has presented the board of county commissioners with conceptual drawings for what we could do in the Cortez Beach parking area to improve safety, and to also add parking areas just south of Coquina North boat ramp – including a secured area that could be used strictly for employees, with the trams bringing them to and from the Bridge Street area. The county seemed open to doing this. The only reason it’s on hold is because the county will be replacing their sewer lines from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South.”

Galuszka: “The city should consider hiring a parking consultant to do a study on what possible solutions there are for our parking problems. We’re limited on space, so there’s not much room for parking, but that’s where the creativity comes in and asking the experts to come up with some solutions. A paid public parking lot would be a great way to generate revenue while also helping with the parking issue. I would be in favor of the city purchasing property for a paid parking lot.”

How would you rate the success of the CRA-funded Old Town Tram parking shuttle program?

Chappie: “I would probably give it a C. I’m willing to continue with the pilot program. I was not willing to sign a deal that would go for up to five years. The trams need to be more regular in their running and their routes. They need to have a few designated stops. People need that regularity and certainty and the drivers need to stick with the designated route. There can be exceptions, but for customer service you need consistency. People need to know if they wait 10 minutes somebody’s going to come around. It’s not near as good as I think it can be and needs to be.”

Galuszka: “I think it’s a great idea, but I don’t think it’s working as advertised. With the parking area right down the street from me by the police station, I see the trams going back and forth daily and I would have to say it’s in the 90th percentile that they’re empty. I think we need better signage. The sign at the intersection of Gulf Drive and Cortez Road advertises the free tram, but it just has an arrow pointing south. I think we could be more descriptive in directing people to park at Cortez Beach. I think we can do a better job there. I also believe some people don’t realize the parking tram is free. I’m in favor of the CRA funding it for another year. I think it’s a good idea, but I don’t think it’s working as advertised.”

Note: During their recent interviews, the mayoral candidates discussed several other city issues and further expounded on their desires to serve as Bradenton Beach’s next mayor. These matters will be addressed in a future story or stories as the mayor’s race continues toward its November conclusion.

Memorial Day weekend parking sparks drama in Holmes Beach

Parking rift between city, county widens over Memorial Day

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Memorial Day weekend brought thousands of people to Anna Maria Island to celebrate the holiday weekend, exacerbating the disagreement between Manatee County commissioners and Holmes Beach city leaders over beach parking.

Prior to the start of the weekend, some Manatee County leaders wanted Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth to open more residential city streets for public beach parking. Titsworth refused, and new County Administrator Scott Hopes made a late-night deal on May 28 with the Manatee County School Board, of which he was a member at the time, to use the parking lot at Anna Maria Elementary School for public parking through Memorial Day, though overnight parking was not allowed there. He also allowed for the public to use the parking lot at the Island Branch Library for beach parking after the library closed for the weekend.

While Hopes informed county commissioners of the decision, Titsworth said that he did not provide any notice of the parking allowances to Holmes Beach leaders or police.

If the county’s leaders wish to continue providing public parking at the school and library sites, Titsworth said they’re going to have to work with the city on it.

First, she said the use of the school property for anything other than its intended use requires either a special use permit from the city or an updated site plan approval by city staff and potentially city commissioners.

A temporary special use permit is needed to provide parking one time or sporadically at the site. A site plan amendment would be needed to provide beach parking at the school on an ongoing basis.

Beach parking at the Island Branch Library poses a more difficult challenge for county officials, primarily because the property is owned by the city of Holmes Beach and leased by the county strictly for the library. Providing beach parking in the library parking lot is in violation of the county’s lease for the property, Titsworth said.

If county officials push to provide additional beach parking at the school, Titsworth said she would remove an equal number of spots from residential streets. She said she would not be adding any additional beach parking in Holmes Beach.

Holmes Beach currently has 1,261 non-permit public parking spaces and 642 residential permit-only parking spaces until 5 p.m. daily within a quarter-mile of the beach, including spaces located at beach access points. When city leaders closed off some residential streets to public parking following a COVID-19 lockdown in early 2020 of all beach parking spaces, 497 parking spaces were lost citywide.

Hopes did not return calls for comment.

Holiday weekend numbers

After the holiday weekend, Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that he counted an average of 31,222 vehicles passing into the city each day from Friday, May 28 through Monday, May 31 for a total of just under 125,000 vehicles. Despite a large number of people in the city, Tokajer said Holmes Beach police officers only wrote 169 parking tickets, and none of those were at the two parking lots authorized by Hopes. Some parking tickets were written for cars parked at AME, but those were written by Manatee County officers patrolling that area, he said.

In a May 28 email to county commissioners, Hopes said that parking at the school would be available in the designated parking lot May 29-31 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and that the county would make sure that all litter, trash and debris was removed from the school parking lot by June 1 at 7 a.m.

While the trash was removed from the school parking lot, Tokajer said that county officials did not make any preparations for the additional trash at beach access points near the school to be collected. He added that he and other city officials heard about the beach parking at the school and library from local media outlets and that he was very disappointed that the city was not included in the conversation with the county officials who made the decision to allow the extra beach parking. In the future, Tokajer said he hopes there will be open communication between city and county leaders.

Titsworth said she felt that other than issues with trash, the impromptu parking at the school and library went well over the weekend. She said that issues with additional parking throughout the city remain, such as the need for additional trash and restroom facilities and lifeguards to be stationed further down the beach than just at Manatee Beach. Without these necessities, Titsworth said a public health and safety issue persists.

As Tokajer and his officers patrolled the parking areas over the weekend, they discovered that the majority of people using the parking areas that county commissioners intended for Manatee County residents weren’t used by residents.

At the parking lot at AME, Tokajer said on Saturday there were 47 cars parked in the lot. When officers ran the plates of those cars, it was noted that only one vehicle was from Manatee County. At the Manatee Beach parking lot, he said there were 335 vehicles parked and less than 10% of those were from Manatee County.

On Memorial Day, Tokajer said he observed a group of six vehicles in a row parked with the occupants unloading for the beach. When asked, he said the occupants of five cars said they were from Orlando and the sixth was from Ocala.

Related coverage

 

Memorial Day weekend parking sparks drama in Holmes Beach

 

Lifeguards, law enforcement prepared for busy beach holidays

 

Holmes Beach mayor declines Van Ostenbridge’s meeting request

Holmes Beach mayor declines Van Ostenbridge's meeting request

Holmes Beach mayor declines Van Ostenbridge’s meeting request

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

HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth declined Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge’s request to meet and discuss the city’s past elimination of street-side parking spaces.

Titsworth rejected Van Ostenbridge’s request to meet in part because Van Ostenbridge’s invitation did not extend to Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer.

As the District 3 county commissioner, Van Ostenbridge represents all three Anna Maria Island cities. Van Ostenbridge was sworn into office on Nov. 17. During the county commission work meeting held later that day, Van Ostenbridge threatened to withhold future beach renourishment funding from the city of Holmes Beach because of the city’s parking reductions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Mayor Titsworth and the Holmes Beach City Commission have jeopardized future beach renourishment projects in their city. I will not support county participation in beach renourishment projects in Holmes Beach until on-street parking levels are returned to pre-COVID-19 levels. I am drawing a line in the sand,” Van Ostenbridge said, during his first county meeting.

Meeting sought

Vida Gordon is the executive administrative assistant to the county commission. On Tuesday, March 23, Gordon sent Titsworth an email on behalf of Van Ostenbridge which said, “Commissioner Van Ostenbridge would like to meet with you and staff regarding: Public parking on city streets in the city of Holmes Beach. Manatee County participation in future beach renourishment projects.”

Within 30 minutes, Titsworth sent Gordon her response.

“Please ask the commissioner to take the time to witness the high traffic in our city on our many sunny weekends prior to scheduling this meeting. I see no reason to have a meeting until he takes the time to see it for himself. Saturdays would be a great time, as our rather large resort housing industry turns over each Saturday and traffic is at a standstill. If we are going to have real discussions with real solutions, I find it important that he witness this first-hand,” Titsworth stated in her email.

Holmes Beach Mayor declines Van Ostenbridge's meeting request
Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth will not meet to discuss parking concerns without the police chief present. – Kristin Swain | Sun

“I would also ask that he drive through the residential neighborhoods to take note of the beach access parking we currently provide so that he can more easily understand the issues. This may allow him a better perspective to see the limits the city is facing in accommodating all our county residents and tourists who want to arrive by car,” Titsworth wrote.

“As for the Manatee County participation in beach nourishment, I am well advised as to the interlocal agreement we have with the county and the city’s continued participation to provide beach access public parking. If he would like to discuss any proposed changes to this agreement at this meeting, please advise prior, as I would ask that Charlie Hunsicker be present to inform us of any changes in requirements at the state level. The chief and I are available on April 12. Please ask him to come to city hall,” Titsworth wrote.

A short time later, Gordon sent Titsworth Van Ostenbridge’s response.

“I have seen first-hand the traffic challenges on AMI at peak hours. I look forward to hearing from the mayor in our meeting. I am hoping for a constructive meeting that will enable the mayor and myself to lay out our respective positions. The end goal I have in mind is to create a more welcoming environment on AMI and increase accessibility to our public beaches. My hope is that this meeting will be a productive first step,” Van Ostenbridge wrote.

“Mr. Hunsicker has been invited to the meeting as well as county attorney (Bill) Clague. If she would like to remove either of those invitees from the meeting, I will oblige her request. That said, my invitation does not extend to the Holmes Beach Police Chief,” Van Ostenbridge wrote.

Upon receipt of that message, Titsworth informed Gordan that she would not be meeting with Van Ostenbridge.

“If the meeting does not extend to the police chief who has first-hand knowledge on why parking was eliminated on certain streets, then I see no reason to have the meeting. Per the commissioner’s email, he feels he has all the experience he needs on the traffic, congestion and parking constraints. Unfortunately, he does not have the credentials to determine where parking works and where it does not. If I am to accept a meeting with the commissioner to discuss parking in the neighborhoods, I will expect the chief to attend. As for the county attorney, I see no reason why his services would be needed at this time,” Titsworth wrote.

“With all due respect, any comments made by the commissioner up to this point have been threatening in nature. I understand his position, as he does mine. There is no reason to take up any additional time in laying out our positions. Any proposed additional parking in Holmes Beach will require a traffic study by FDOT, including a viable plan for bringing additional cars on and off the Island. Any additional parking will need to include restroom facilities,” Titsworth wrote.

“If a meeting cannot be agreed to, I would suggest the commissioner attend a city meeting so he can express his concerns regarding the ‘unwelcoming environment’ and the accessibility to the beaches. I am certain the board would welcome hearing his suggestions, being that he is our new district representative,” Titsworth wrote.

Titsworth then received an email from Gordon that stated Van Ostenbridge would be happy to meet with the mayor in the county commissioners’ conference room or in his office in downtown Bradenton.

In response, Titsworth wrote, “If he is unwilling to come visit the city he represents, I will have to decline to attend the meeting. I can already see where it is heading. Commissioner Kruse was happy to meet me and the chief at our city. My door is always open.”

Chief’s comments

When contacted Friday, Tokajer said, “For Commissioner Van Ostenbridge to invite the mayor to a meeting that dictates which staff is allowed to attend is another example of his abuse of the perceived power of his position. I do not see our mayor and commission being bullied by empty threats about future beach renourishment.”

Holmes Beach Mayor declines Van Ostenbridge's meeting request
Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer played a significant role in the development of the city’s current parking plan. – Kristin Swain | Sun

“As a city, we’ve more than upheld our requirements set forth in the interlocal agreement with Manatee County on parking. Do you really think the county is going to stop receiving federal funds for beach renourishment for the largest tourist destination in Manatee County? Are they going to stop advertising Anna Maria Island as a tourist destination? If the county is not going to do beach renourishment, they can give the city back the millions of dollars in the tourist tax revenues they collect from the Holmes Beach community,” Tokajer said.

“The city’s residential areas should not be made into a parking lot. The county needs to come up with some other ideas as to where people can park – and the places they come up with need to have facilities such as bathrooms, changing stations and lifeguards. We need to do something to balance the amount of people coming into our residential areas,” Tokajer said.

“Right now, there are 1,264 parking spaces that are open to the public, and 500 of those are dedicated to meeting beach renourishment parking requirements. We have an additional 645 spaces for residential parking by permit. The city’s parking plan is truly working in the manner in which we thought it would,” he added.

Tokajer doesn’t anticipate the city restoring its parking capacity to pre-pandemic levels.

“The commission has already voted numerous times on this parking plan and they unanimously support the plan we have now. No matter what this commissioner does, I don’t see them going back to that,” he said.

Citing data collected by license plate readers positioned along the city’s main thoroughfares, Tokajer said, “From March 1 through noon today, March 26, we had 621,569 vehicles that came on and off Island in Holmes Beach during that 26-day period. That’s an average of 24,675 vehicles per day. Even if we opened up the 2,400 parking spaces we had before COVID, that’s still leaves another 22,000 cars a day that have nowhere to park.

“Commissioner Kruse was willing to come here to Holmes Beach and sit down with the mayor and I to discuss things and learn why we did what we did. If Commissioner Van Ostenbridge wants to dictate who the mayor’s going to bring to a meeting, then I guess we’re not going to have it,” Tokajer said.

BridgeWalk resort enforcing reserved parking spaces

BridgeWalk resort enforcing reserved parking spaces

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Drivers should pay close attention to the signs when parking in front of the BridgeWalk resort in Bradenton Beach.

BridgeWalk resort owner Angela Rodocker has received additional assurances from the city regarding her exclusive use of three Bridge Street parking spaces. On Thursday, Jan. 21, the Bradenton Beach City Commission adopted Resolution 21-940, a resolution that codifies in writing the verbal agreement Rodocker and her late mother, Barbara Rodocker, reached with the city regarding the development of the BridgeWalk resort and retail shops in 2000.

The three parking spaces along the 100 block of Bridge Street have long been designated for the exclusive use of BridgeWalk resort guests while checking in, but that exclusive use is often ignored by others in search of a hard-to-find parking space, especially on weekends.

The adopted city resolution now supports and further clarifies the development approvals granted in 2000.

When presenting the resolution to the city commission, City Attorney Ricinda Perry said, “That parking agreement is not a new approval. That was a use that was already granted and approved verbally but missed somehow – we could arguably state it was scrivener’s error – in the final approval prepared by the attorney at that time.”

When addressing the commission, Rodocker said, “The reason this even came up is because I kept having to deal with people parking there. From the very beginning of this, I always believed that BridgeWalk had exclusivity over those three spots, and that’s what I think should be honored.”

Rodocker said some drivers in the community have the wrong impression about the public’s use of the reserved parking spaces along Bridge Street. She said she recently had to call the police in response to a verbal confrontation that ensued with a man who questioned the BridgeWalk parking restrictions.

“My staff has had to deal with this on and off for years, so I want my signage to be strong and I will fulfill it – which means it’s going to be uncomfortable for some local people for a little while,” Rodocker told the commission.

“There’s been way too many verbal things going on between my staff and people. There’s just so much miscommunication, even for the police department. The guys don’t even know what to do if somebody’s parking there and I call. We just need clarification,” Rodocker said.

Rodocker offered to make the three reserved check-in spaces available to the public during non-peak hours, similar to the after-hours parking allowances provided at the post office parking lot.

Police Chief Sam Speciale said it would be easier for his officers to enforce a parking prohibition that remains in effect at all times, so the BridgeWalk resort parking restrictions will be in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“That way there’s no question about what those three places are for. That way Angela doesn’t have to deal with people and it’s easier for us to take care of it,” Speciale told the commission.

The commission unanimously supported the resolution request and the resort’s need for the three reserved parking spaces.

Three parking spaces along the 100 block of Bridge Start are reserved BridgeWalk resort guests who are checking in.
These signs help designate the BridgeWalk resort’s reserved parking spaces.- Angela Rodocker | Submitted

Those who continue to improperly park in the reserved spaces now do so at the increased risk of being ticketed and possibly towed. When contacted later, Rodocker said she’ll soon be adding new signs that reinforce the existing signs that say, “Check-in Parking Only Please.”

“I’m so happy that we’re going to get this resolved. The last thing I want to do is have somebody’s car towed away, but we may have to do it to get the message across,” Rodocker said.

Commissioners go forward with permit parking

Commissioners go forward with permit parking

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners called a special meeting July 7 to vote on the first reading of an ordinance implementing permit-only parking in residential neighborhoods near the beach. The first reading passed with a unanimous vote and will go for a final reading during a July 21 meeting.

The early morning meeting resulted in a few changes to the ordinance as an updated map was presented illustrating the areas throughout the city that are planned to be open for streetside public parking and those where only residents with permits will be able to park on the street.

Commissioners were concerned with putting the cost of the permit parking program on the city’s residents, proposed at $20 per permit to be renewed annually. Commissioner Kim Rash said he didn’t agree with charging people to park on the street in front of their own homes. With the coming 2020-21 budget already a concern for city leaders due to lower than usual expected revenues from state funding sources, Commissioner Carol Soustek suggested raising the city’s parking violation fine from $50 to $75 to absorb the cost of the permit program.

Though commissioners informally agreed to the raised fine amount, City Attorney Patricia Petruff said it would take the approval of a separate ordinance to raise the parking fine amount.

Chief Bill Tokajer said signs would be installed in the coming week at beach access points designating golf cart-only parking spaces. Under the permit program, golf carts also will be able to take advantage of the permit-only street parking, however things get a little complicated depending on what kind of golf cart is being used. A regular golf cart, one that doesn’t require a tag or registration with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, can be parked anywhere in the permit parking zone without a permit from the city. A low-speed vehicle, or LSV, a golf cart or other vehicle not a car or truck that does require a license plate and DMV registration, will be able to park in the permit only zone but will require a permit sticker issued by the city.

Though commissioners discussed making the permit parking 24 hours a day every day, after much discussion and input from Tokajer they opted to start out with permit parking from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, allowing public parking on the street in the residential area after 5 p.m. so that people can have a party or dinner guests without having to contact the police department first to get passes for guests to park on the street. For residents choosing to have guests during the permit parking- only hours where parking cannot be accommodated on their property, they will still need to contact the police department to get authorized parking passes for guests or ask for a bag to be placed over the permit only signs while their guests are present.

Tokajer did say it will be necessary for the city to purchase new signs for the permit parking area at a cost of about $2,400.

Commissioners agreed unanimously to put the permit parking to a six-month review to see how it works for the residents and what changes to the program need to be made.

Commissioners next meet on July 21 for a meeting and work session to be held via Zoom.

Related coverage

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Changes for parking plans on the agenda

Parking space reduction spurs protest, dialogue

Commissioners consider permit parking

Commissioners consider permit parking

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners are considering a change to the current prohibition against street-side parking on the west side of the city. That change may come in the form of permit parking for residents.

City staff and the mayor’s office have resurrected an ordinance allowing for permit-only parking on certain streets near the beach, put together in 2016 after the Island Congestion Committee’s members met and conducted research for several months. When the ordinance was originally considered, it passed a three-to-two commission vote but was vetoed by then-Mayor Bob Johnson.

Now, staff is working on updates to the ordinance to help address the city’s current parking concerns, primarily introducing permit-only parking and golf cart parking on some streets that are currently closed to all street side and right-of-way parking.

Out of the 1,100 spaces removed on city streets for parking by the city’s last decision, the plan would return 619 spaces for permit parking.

During the June 23 commission work session, a map was presented to commissioners marking some streets on the west side of the city as possible sites for permit-only and golf cart parking.

If the permit system is introduced, Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that the permits would be given to city residents, one for each vehicle registered to a Holmes Beach address within the permit parking area. For residents who live outside of the permit area, such as Key Royale, there would be a maximum of two permits for each property for use by the owners.

He noted that if residents have children whose vehicles are not registered to the address, those cars would not be eligible for the permit. Holmes Beach property owners who live elsewhere could be eligible for up to two permits that would be reserved for the owners’ vehicles only, not to be shared with renters.

Under the parking permit plan presented, a full-time resident would be defined as any property owner in Holmes Beach who does not rent out their property. Low-speed vehicles, including golf carts that are required to have license plates and be registered with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, would be required to have a permit to be parked on the street in the permit parking area. Golf carts that are not street legal (with no license plate or registration) will be allowed to park in the permit area without a permit.

Tokajer said the plan currently is to charge a nominal fee for the permits to cover the cost of printing and paperwork, with permits to be renewed annually. To prevent old permits from being used, Tokajer said he plans to change the color of the permits each year so that it’s easier for officers to know which ones are valid.

Permits also would not be transferrable between vehicles. When applying for a permit, the property owner will be required to show that the vehicle is registered to a Holmes Beach address and provide the license plate number and description of the vehicle, which will be attached to the permit for identification and enforcement purposes.

Any resident with a permit would be able to park in the permit-only area, giving residents on the east side of the city easy access to the beach, allowing residents to use street-side parking and not confining residents to parking in front of their properties.

The proposed permit parking area would encompass a large part of the area where parking is not allowed on the west side of the city. The area would stretch from the city’s southern border with Bradenton Beach to its northern border with Anna Maria with the bulk of the permit parking located north of Manatee Avenue and west of Gulf and Marina drives. The plan also leaves some street-side parking open on a first-come, first-served basis.

Mayor Judy Titsworth said that what commissioners have is a good starting point and that more discussion and tweaking to the plan will need to happen before anything is finalized. She expressed concern about allowing open parking in the area around St. Bernard Catholic Church, which could cause issues with beachgoers crossing busy Gulf Drive and churchgoers left with few parking options during Christmas and Easter seasons and during the winter when the city’s part-time residents return.

The discussion on permit parking is planned to continue at a future commission meeting.

Holmes Beach logo OLD

Changes for parking plans on the agenda

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach, Transportation.

HOLMES BEACH – It’s been just over two weeks since the city’s new parking plan was enacted and commissioners are already discussing making changes after receiving criticism from some city residents, business owners and Manatee County residents.

The parking plan eliminated side of the street and right of way parking in some neighborhoods near the beach. Commissioners are scheduled at the Tuesday, June 23 work session to begin discussions on enacting permit parking in the areas where parking was eliminated.

The proposal being discussed is a modified version of a parking-by-permit proposal considered in 2016 by commissioners after a presentation by the city’s congestion committee. The proposal was vetoed by then-Mayor Bob Johnson and didn’t receive a super-majority vote from commissioners.

Current Mayor Judy Titsworth and Commissioner Pat Morton, who were both commissioners at the time, voted against the 2016 parking plan, but both have recently expressed support for limiting public parking in residential neighborhoods close to the beach while also finding a balance to accommodate residents in those neighborhoods.

While providing residential parking on the side of the street could alleviate some of the concerns expressed by residents, it doesn’t address the concerns of business owners.

Another proposal being considered by city commissioners in the near future is the possibility of changing the Holmes Beach Land Development Code to allow businesses and churches to charge for beachgoers using their lots for parking. While being able to accept donations for parking could help local churches suffering from a lack of donations due to COVID-19 shutdowns, some city business owners are still concerned that the lack of residential neighborhood parking and increase of commercial parking could result in a lack of parking spaces for their business patrons.

Utilizing church parking for access to beach access points where there are no facilities for visitors also is a cause for concern for some residents. The lack of street parking may keep cars out of the neighborhoods, but it’s not slowing down the foot traffic or eliminating issues such as trash and beach equipment left behind or a lack of restroom facilities for beachgoers, according to emails received by The Sun from concerned residents.

Titsworth also said she’s meeting with representatives from the Manatee County School District to discuss the possibility of using the Anna Maria Elementary School parking lot for overflow beach parking when available.

Manatee County commissioners are discussing their own ideas to remedy the issue, including the potential for a parking garage in Holmes Beach.

Currently, Manatee County offers a free park and ride service from the Beachway Shopping Plaza on 75th Street and Cortez Road in Bradenton to Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach on weekends. Riders can park their vehicles and take the bus to Anna Maria Island’s beaches without worrying about having to try to find parking. The bus runs hourly Friday through Sunday with pickup near the Wells Fargo Bank.

Parking issues spur protest, dialogue

Parking space reduction spurs protest, dialogue

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Health.

HOLMES BEACH – It’s been just over one week since city leaders enacted a plan to limit parking on residential streets on the west side of the city, angering some residents, business owners and visitors.

Now city leaders are considering making changes to the city’s land development code to help ease some of the community’s parking concerns.

The week started with an online petition aimed at convincing city leaders to reverse a decision to block off-street parking in residential neighborhoods west of the city’s main corridors of Gulf, Marina and Palm drives, gaining more than 10,000 signatures from locals and visitors.

It ended with a letter from Florida Senate President Bill Galvano (R-Manatee) and Rep. Will Robinson (R-Manatee) asking Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth to consider retracting the parking regulations.

Titsworth responded that city leaders are considering changing the land development code to allow businesses and churches to charge for beach parking. She added that she’s also meeting with Manatee County leaders to discuss parking and has approached the Manatee County School District to determine if the lot at Anna Maria Elementary School can be used for overflow beach parking. Another potential solution is to issue parking permits to residents.

The new parking regulations eliminated 1,102 on-street parking spaces, leaving 1,307 spaces available within a quarter-mile of the beach, including the Manatee Beach parking lot.

Work vehicles where employees are performing maintenance, construction or other commercial services at a property are not affected by the parking regulations and may still use street parking on any Holmes Beach street while they are completing work at a nearby residence or business.

Holmes Beach was the last of the three Island cities to enact strict parking restrictions.

The issue

Holmes Beach, while the largest of the three cities on Anna Maria Island, is only about 1.91 square miles on a seven-mile island. Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that about 18,000-23,000 cars cross into the city on a daily basis with that number more than doubling on holiday weekends. And while not everyone is going to the beach, a large number of people are, and that number is continuing to grow as more people move to Manatee County each year. Despite the growing demand for parking spaces, he said there’s just no more space in the city to accommodate more people and that beach parking in neighborhoods is problematic for residents who end up with beachgoers parked on their property and often leaving behind trash or attempting to use outdoor facilities, such as hoses and swimming pools, as their own.

Titsworth said that the beach parking in residential neighborhoods creates a public health concern due to the lack of restroom facilities, limited trash disposal options and lack of lifeguards outside of the Manatee Beach area. Manatee Beach is a public beach at the end of Manatee Avenue in Holmes Beach that is home to more than 300 public parking spaces, restroom facilities, showers, a full restaurant and playground, and the waters are watched over by lifeguards. Within the residential neighborhoods, she said there is no space to install these types of facilities. Tokajer said that even if facilities could be added, there’s simply no way to meet the demand for beach parking.

The residential street parking also poses a problem for trash collection vehicles, mail trucks, EMS vehicles and fire department trucks, which have a difficult time navigating the sometimes narrow streets. If visitors are parked up and down the street, the vehicles may not be able to get through, which particularly concerns city officials in the event of an emergency.

The protest

While some residents are happy with the new parking regulations, some are not and have taken to social media, email and public forums to air their grievances with the city.

Residents who live on the east side of the city say they cannot easily access the beach if parking in residential neighborhoods is closed to them. Some residents who live in the area where the no parking signs went up are concerned because street parking that they use for visitors, family members and extra vehicles is now gone.

Some business owners are worried about having to police their own lots to stop beachgoers from using the spaces reserved for customers as beach parking. Some also fear that the reduction in parking will mean a reduction in the number of people who patronize local restaurants and shops, just reopened from COVID-19 shutdowns.

During a protest held on June 9 at Holmes Beach City Hall, more than 50 people gathered with signs to demonstrate their frustration with city leaders and their opposition to the removal of on-street parking spots. Besides city residents and business owners, Manatee County residents came to express concern about their ability to access beach parking.

Many spoke out against what they called an abuse of power by the city’s mayor, police chief and commissioners to change parking regulations while the city is still under a state of emergency due to COVID-19 and commissioners are meeting virtually rather than in person at city hall. Many people argued that the decision had been made without public notice and input.

While the discussion was never formally put on a city commission agenda, it was discussed in the virtual meetings, which are open to the public, beginning in April and has been reported in The Sun 10 times since parking was first limited in the city to encourage social distancing during the governor’s stay-at-home order for Florida residents.

At press time for The Sun, the petition on change.org had garnered more than 11,400 signatures. Another petition bearing 68 signatures of residents, business owners and Island workers was presented to city leaders during the June 9 commission meeting asking commissioners to reconsider the parking regulations.

The June 9 meeting was attended by more than 120 people who called in or joined through their computers and more than a dozen spoke up about parking regulations during public comment with more sending in comments by email to be read by commissioners.

Resident comments

Holmes Beach resident, business owner and commission candidate Rick Hurst spoke first during public comment, noting that he had sent commissioners a petition with more than 200 signatures requesting that the new parking regulations be rescinded. He argued that commissioners did not get enough public input on the plan before it was implemented.

Bradenton Beach vacation rental owner John Little said that in his estimation, the city of Holmes Beach is “100% dependent on visitors” and that by not allowing street parking in residential neighborhoods, the city wasn’t being very welcoming to visitors.

Holmes Beach resident Karen Gertz-Casper said she’d like to know what the city will be doing to help residents who have lost their parking and easy beach access.

Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore said that out of the more than 400,000 county residents that she represents, she’s had several complaints about the city’s new parking restrictions and that the residential street parking has traditionally been available to beachgoers to use. Whitmore added that she also was concerned about the way the restrictions were enacted.

Manatee County residents Stephanie Ham, Meagan Cox and Jason Hall all spoke against the parking restrictions, stating that county residents have a right to the parking and to access the Island’s beaches.

Holmes Beach residents Gale Tedhams and Renee Ferguson spoke in favor of the parking restrictions, though Tedhams was concerned about how to handle visitors coming to her home who need parking. Ferguson stated that she wants people to come to the beach but agrees that there will never be enough parking to meet the demand. She said that she believes the parking issue in Holmes Beach was created by Manatee County leaders who advertise the Island’s beaches and then provide limited facilities for visitors to use, including parking spaces.

The solution

While a solution to the issues brought to their attention by residents, visitors and business owners has yet to be proposed by city leaders, some options are being considered at coming commission meetings and work sessions, including allowing businesses and churches to charge people to use their parking lots and issuing parking permits for residents.

In the short term, Tokajer said that bike racks can be added at beach access points to accommodate more cyclists and that he plans to add at least two golf cart-only parking spaces at each beach access point where parking is available. Four disabled accessible spots and a ramp are planned for installation at the 52nd Street beach access. He also said that residents who need to use street parking for a family gathering, event or other short-term use can contact the police department, tell the dispatcher how many people are expected and when, and officers will temporarily cover the no parking signs in that area to accommodate the needed street parking.

To follow along with what’s happening at city hall, visit www.holmesbeachfl.org.

Residents question parking restrictions

Residents question parking restrictions

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Beach parking has been the subject of much discussion among not only Holmes Beach residents, but also Manatee County residents, visitors, property owners and business owners. It’s not just any beach parking that’s under discussion, but that which takes place in residential neighborhoods.

The plan

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer presented a plan to commissioners in April proposing to ban right of way and streetside parking in neighborhoods west of Gulf Drive in the south part of the city, Marina Drive in the middle and Palm Drive in the north once COVID-19 precautions were lifted. Those precautions prohibit all right of way, streetside and beach access parking.

The plan was agreed to and about 200 signs were ordered.

The banners announcing the parking ban were scheduled for removal on June 6, with beach access parking opening the same day. New signs banning streetside parking were placed along most of the streets close to the beach and the plan was officially launched, unfortunately on a rainy weekend.

Tokajer said he expects to have to tweak the new parking plan as issues are identified and find some exception for residents whose homes don’t have enough parking on their lots.

Mayor Judy Titsworth said she is working with residents who live on one of the affected streets who need an exception, whether that’s for their own vehicles or the vehicles of visitors to their homes. Some residents, Titsworth said, have asked not to have the signs placed on their side of the street, a request which is considered on an individual basis and has been honored by the city.

Tokajer said having some sort of permit for residents also is being considered as a potential next step, however, he added that this first step, keeping parking off of the westside city streets, needs to be implemented and evaluated.

Under the new plan, the city of Holmes Beach has 1,303 parking spaces available including 334 at Manatee Beach, 22 for beach access after hours at Hancock Bank and the remaining spaces located at beach access points and along city streets. The 1,303 spaces mark a reduction of 1,102 spaces from the previously available 2,405. According to a parking study completed and shared by Titsworth and Tokajer, the city has 479 spaces to qualify for beach renourishment funding, more than the required amount.

Holmes Beach isn’t the only Anna Maria Island city with parking restrictions. Bradenton Beach doesn’t allow parking on any rights of way within the city. The city of Anna Maria allows parking only on certain sides of the street, requires that all four vehicle tires be off the pavement and recently instituted a fine of $100 to $225 every two hours for parking violators. Contrary to some reports, the city of Holmes Beach has not raised its parking violation amount, which remains at $50.

The complaints

While Tokajer said during the May 26 commission meeting that he’d received primarily positive response to the new parking plan, during the week of June 1, some residents took to social media and email to express their dislike of the plan.

Chief among the detractors is former Holmes Beach commissioner Rick Hurst. Hurst, who owns the Freckled Fin in Holmes Beach and also is a Key Royale resident, said the parking restrictions would prevent people in his neighborhood, on the east side of the city, from being able to easily drive to and park at the beach. He also said he’s concerned that a reduction in parking will hurt businesses, like his restaurant, that he said are patronized by people going to the beach.

Fellow Key Royale resident Don Purvis also had concerns about being easily able to access the beach. Purvis said he feels a reduction in parking could cause businesses like his real estate company who have their own parking lots to have to police the lots to keep beachgoers from taking up the spaces needed for customers.

Holmes Beach resident Dave Welch said he’s concerned not only about being able to easily access the beach, but also about residents who live near the beach not being able to use the streetside parking in front of their homes for guests or general overflow parking from their homes. While many homes in Holmes Beach have driveways or other onsite parking large enough to accommodate one car per bedroom, some older homes have smaller driveways that were grandfathered in and the residents rely on the street parking.

New Holmes Beach resident Nicole Kaleta said she and her husband recently purchased and renovated a home in the city after starting a vacation rental company there several years ago. Now, she said it saddens here to see the no parking signs, no parking banners and construction signs throughout the city.

“This is not at all what I had in mind for living on the friendly welcoming island we fought so hard to move to nor is it the one we continually work so hard to welcome visitors to,” Kaleta said in an email to The Sun. “I am so saddened to see locals unable to enjoy their own beaches, businesses unable to host patrons and the attitude of the Island be one of negativity and unwelcomeness. We should be living in an era of embracing and supporting each other, not making life more difficult.”

Island property and business owner Mike Thrasher said his concern is how the decision was made. He said he felt the decision was made without public input and is an abuse of power, a sentiment echoed by some Island residents and many Manatee County residents despite both Tokajer and Titsworth stating that the decision was made in a public meeting, held by teleconference, and has been discussed regularly in subsequent meetings. Some comments on social media indicated that people would like to have a town hall meeting, where the options for parking are discussed and community members can have their say before a plan is implemented.

Manatee County Commissioner and Holmes Beach resident Carol Whitmore spoke out against the new parking strategy, both via email and on social media, saying the city has removed a practice that has been in place for many years – parking for the beach along residential streets – and that the decision was made while the city is under a state of emergency due to COVID-19.

In response to Titsworth’s concern that not only would Holmes Beach continue to bear the brunt of parking for the Island’s beaches but that there are not public facilities outside of Manatee Beach for beachgoers to utilize, Whitmore suggested placing portable toilets at beach access points that she said could potentially be placed and maintained by Manatee County.

Petition and protest

On social media, many Manatee County residents expressed concern about the new parking restrictions, with many saying it’s unfair of the city to block off parking that county residents may need for beach parking.

A petition was created on www.change.org to ask city commissioners to repeal the parking decision and keep all streetside parking in the city open in Holmes Beach. As of June 7, the petition had more than 9,400 signatures. The city of Holmes Beach has an estimated population of just over 4,000 residents. A group also is planning to gather at Holmes Beach City Hall during the June 9 commission meeting, even though city hall remains closed to the public due to COVID-19 precautions and the meeting will be held via teleconference. Many of the attendees have stated their intention to speak on the matter of streetside beach parking during public comment.

Boaters outnumber beachgoers in Holmes Beach

Boaters outnumber beachgoers in Holmes Beach

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – While Police Chief Bill Tokajer says the beaches were sparsely attended over the April 17-19 weekend, the boat ramps were packed with vehicles.

After a rainy Saturday, Tokajer said he counted 144 vehicles, not including trailers, parked in and around Kingfish boat ramp at about 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 19. The boat ramp has 57 parking spaces. At the 63rd Street boat ramp, parking spaces also were filled early in the day with some vehicles in the overflow parking area near the city’s dog park.

Despite the large number of boaters, Tokajer said that his officers had no problem enforcing the city’s rules barring parking at beach accesses, in the right of way and along city streets through April 30. Over the second weekend that the new parking regulations have been in effect, he said his officers wrote 37 tickets and didn’t tow any vehicles.

“Pay attention to the signs, people,” he said, referring to the banners placed throughout the city advising drivers that their vehicles will be towed if illegally parked. “Your car can be towed. Do not think that you can get away with a $50 ticket.”

Over the previous weekend, April 10-12, police officers wrote 69 tickets and towed seven vehicles.

“People are starting to pay a little bit more attention than they were and that’s our goal, to get compliance,” Tokajer said.

The city’s new parking regulations remain in effect through April 30 or until the executive directive is rescinded by Mayor Judy Titsworth.

After-hours now allowed at post office

After-hours parking now allowed at post office

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

BRADENTON BEACH – After-hours and weekend parking is now allowed at the Bradenton Beach Post Office.

After-hours now allowed at post office
After-hours parking is never allowed where these signs appear. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

After-hours parking is allowed from 4:30 p.m. until 8 a.m. on weekdays and around the clock on weekends.

Non-post office parking is not allowed during regular post office hours.

Rules and limitations apply, so those who use the parking lot for non-post office-related activities are cautioned to pay close attention to the new signs that detail the allowed parking hours and locations.

Three parking spaces are reserved for the post office at all times. Those spaces are marked with new green and white signs. Non-post office-related parking is never allowed in those three spaces.

In early October, with the support of the city commission, the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) entered into a joint parking lot use agreement with the United States Postal Service for the post office property at 116 Bridge St. The post office property is owned by the Miami Beach-based Fryd Family Partnership.

After-hours now allowed at post office
Marked by green signs, these three parking spaces are reserved for the post office at all times. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The previously agreed to after-hours parking allowances did not take effect until the new signs were erected last week.

Prior to the parking agreement taking effect, after-hours and weekend parking was not allowed. This resulted in many vehicles being towed, much to the chagrin of their owners.

After-hours now allowed at post office
Non-post office parking is not allowed during regular post office hours. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The parking agreement requires the CRA to repair and maintain the parking lot and the CRA is responsible for any damages.

The parking agreement also requires the Bradenton Beach Police Department to police the parking lot and enforce the new parking allowances.

According to City Attorney Ricinda Perry, after-hours parking is not intended for employee parking or overnight vacation rental guests. The parking agreement is subject to a trial period and can be terminated if after-hours parking proves problematic.

After-hours now allowed at post office
Several post office parking spaces can now be used for after-hours parking. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Manatee County logo

Coquina Beach parking limited

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County officials remind beachgoers to avoid the south end of the Coquina Beach parking lot during the busy Memorial Day weekend.

The south end of the beach parking lot remains closed during a stormwater drainage and parking upgrade project. The central and north area of the parking lot remain open, as does the free public parking at the adjacent Cortez Beach along Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach.

Anna Maria Island residents and visitors will begin to see roadside advisory signs reminding drivers of the limited parking on the southern end of Coquina Beach. Drivers are encouraged to carpool to the Island, use the Anna Maria Island trolley or park in designated parking areas away from the construction, especially during busy holiday weekends like the upcoming Memorial Day holiday.

The stormwater and drainage project is a two-phase project designed to reduce flooding at the public beach. Phase 1, now underway, is scheduled for completion by Spring, 2020. Once Phase 1 is complete, Phase 2 will begin with similar work being done on the north end of the parking lot. When complete, stormwater should drain more quickly, helping to address frequent flooding and standing water conditions at Coquina Beach.

Coquina Beach south parking lot closing Monday

Coquina Beach south parking lot closing Monday

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Manatee County.

BRADENTON BEACH – Parking spaces at Coquina Beach will become a little more scarce when the south parking lot closes on Monday, April 1.

The south parking lot is closing for up to a year to accommodate stormwater drainage and parking improvements that Manatee County is making to the county-owned beach located within the Bradenton Beach city limits.

The two-phase project is designed to improve drainage and reduce the flooding and standing water that accumulates when it rains. The phase one improvements are scheduled for completion by Spring 2020. The phase two improvements will then commence at the north end parking areas.

According to acting Manatee County Public Works Director Chad Butzow, the finished project also will produce 865 striped parking spaces. The beach parking areas are not currently designated by parking stripes and that’s made for an indeterminant number of parking spaces in the past.

“Today the park has shell parking without any markings to delineate parking spaces. When complete, Phase 1 will have 188 parking spaces. When Phase 2 is complete there will be a total of 865 parking spaces at Coquina Beach. Phase 2 will not impact large parking areas like Phase 1 since it can be done in smaller segments over time,” according to the county’s March 28 press release.

“This is a long term and much-needed project,” Butzow said in press release. “We all need this drainage improvement to have a top-notch beach parking facility.”

The parking lot improvements will be funded largely by tourist tax revenues, as recommended by the Manatee County Tourist Development Council and approved by Manatee County commissioners.

While the drainage and parking improvements are being made, Butzow recommends that beachgoers use the free Island trolleys operated by Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) to get to and from Coquina Beach.

In conjunction with the free trolley service that runs the length of the Island, MCAT also provides regular and express bus service between the mainland and the Island.

Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale doesn’t expect the reduced parking spaces to cause significant parking issues.

“It’ll impact the parking a little bit, but I think they’re doing it at a good time as spring break is winding down. Now everybody will be parking more within the center of the park and people won’t be as spread out,” he said on Friday.

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie appreciates the county’s efforts.

“I think the county’s drainage improvements are an excellent project that will help clean up the stormwater runoff that goes into our estuary. I compliment them on finding the money and doing this worthwhile project,” Chappie said on Friday.

AM Pine Ave Parking

Pine Avenue parking to be reviewed

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

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy wants city commissioners to give some thought as to how parking and public safety issues can be better addressed along Pine Avenue.

The Anna Maria City Commission has also extended the city’s sandwich board sign allowance for another year.

During last week’s commission meeting, Murphy asked commissioners to look at Pine Avenue, from city hall to the pier, and provide him with some options for future discussion on what could be improved.

Murphy suggested the considerations include whether loading zones and time limits for parallel parking are needed, and whether to expand or eliminate some public parking areas.

Murphy said the parking impacts of the pending pier construction and the reopening of the pier later this year should also be considered.

Murphy said he would refer to past studies and converse with law enforcement as part of his research efforts.

“This is not a new issue. This has been addressed many times, all kinds of proposals,” he said.

“I think it’s a great idea that we look at the parking on Pine,” Commissioner Doug Copeland said.

Copeland said there are places on Pine that don’t currently allow parking that could. And contrary to those who feel there’s plenty of parking, Copeland said he and others don’t feel there’s enough.

“Any parking space that could be freed up should be,” he said.

Copeland said he thinks time-restricted loading and unloading zones are needed to prevent Pine Avenue from being blocked. He also thinks the first block of South Bay Boulevard is worthy of consideration as a potential loading and unloading zone.

Commissioner Carol Carter asked if these discussions would include safety improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians.

“Sidewalks, multi-use paths, what’s the solution?” Murphy said, indicating that these matters would be part of the future discussions.

Commission Chair Brian Seymour asked about lighting. Murphy said that was an absolute must and he mentioned how well the temporary lighting worked during the recent holiday event.

Copeland brought up the gaps that currently exist in the Pine Avenue sidewalks.

“Our phantom sidewalks in the city of Anna Maria, they’re not defined. Consequently, people walk behind the cars. If it’s just a shell path, it looks like a parking lot and visitors don’t know where they are,” he said.

Pine Ave Parking II
Commissioner Doug Copeland refers to these shell paths as Pine Avenue’s “phantom sidewalks.” – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Murphy said this isn’t a project that can be done in “one bite” and any changes would be made in phases.

“I just want to take it pieces at a time and do it logically,” he said.

Carter asked if the city faced any restrictive situations regarding the PAR (Pine Avenue Restoration) projects along Pine Avenue and what the city can and can’t do in those areas.
“That’s an issue we’d probably have to take on separately. What do we do about that? It was permitted, even though there’s some questions about how it was permitted. Is it still legitimate? The fact is it’s there and we need to address it,” Murphy said.

“I think it’s very a worthwhile project,” Commissioner Dale Woodland said of the overall concept.

The commission unanimously authorized the mayor to pursue this endeavor. Based partially on the commissioners’ individual input, Murphy said he expects to bring them some solid recommendations in four to five weeks for further discussion.

Sandwich board signs allowed

In other Pine Avenue news, the commission has renewed for another year a 2018 city resolution that allows businesses to have A-framed sandwich board signs.

AM Sandwich Signs
Each business in the city of Anna Maria is allowed one A-framed sandwich board sign. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The commission temporarily amended that element of the city’s sign ordinance last year to help Pine Avenue businesses offset the economic impacts of the pier closing. The city’s sign ordinance prohibits sandwich board signs, but the resolution provides an exception that’s subject to annual commission review.

Adopted on Jan. 10, Resolution 19-742 allows each business in Anna Maria to have one A-framed sandwich board sign, not to exceed 24 inches wide and 36 inches tall, including the frame.

The signs cannot be placed in the public right of way or impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic or vehicular sightlines. The signs are only allowed during business hours and must be removed during inclement weather. A previous commission prohibited A-framed signs in 2014.