INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. — The city of Indian Rocks Beach has had free parking at its beach access points for years.
However, that may soon change.
On the agenda at the City Commissioner Meeting Tuesday evening is the first reading of an ordinance that could introduce paid parking to some areas.
City Manager Ryan Henderson said that with 182 free public spots at the access points, the money generated would make a major impact.
“This is an opportunity for us to be able to create a dedicated revenue source that goes directly back into the community,” he said. “It goes back into infrastructure, goes back into stormwater projects.”
However, others are worried this could create problems.
Joanne Hanson has been running Indian Rocks Cafe Deli & Market for more than a year.
They share a plaza with eight other businesses, but there are fewer than 20 parking spots in their lot.
With so few to go around, Hanson said it’s frustrating when people park but immediately head to the beach.
“We try to tell them, ‘Hey guys, you can’t park here,'” she said. “It’s private parking, that’s for this plaza only. Now I can tell them there’s free parking across the street. If it passes, then I won’t be able to say that anymore.”
There will not be a final decision made on paid parking at Tuesday’s meeting.
Matt Lackritz
Source link