The island’s cities soon may have similar right-of-way parking rules preventing roadway obstructions.
Holmes Beach city commissioners voted 3-2 June 14 to send a right-of-way parking ordinance to a second reading and public hearing to consider its adoption. Commissioners Jayne Christenson and Kim Rash voted “no.”
The ordinance would require motorists to park with all tires off the pavement of a roadway and inside a right of way, and is aimed at improving roadway safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians by clearing space along the margins.
The measure also would provide code and law enforcement officers discretion to give leeway to landscaping, construction and delivery services that might not have space to park with all tires off the road.
In those cases, city engineer Sage Kamiya has suggested requiring such services to place traffic cones to zone off obstructive vehicles.
Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach already prohibit motorists parking in rights of way from obstructing roadways.
Commission Chair Carol Soustek said such regulations hadn’t caused issues in Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach, so it shouldn’t hurt the city. “It’s an aid, another step for clearing obstacles,” she said. “We do have a lot of pedestrian traffic. …Let’s get some clear roads. That’s not going to hurt anybody.”
Commissioner Terry Schaefer said he believed it is important to pass an ordinance to create continuity in right-of-way parking regulations across island cities.
However, not everyone was supportive.
Christenson said it would be a “suicide mission” to vote for the ordinance since it would force motorists to park closer to yards and landscaping, leading to potential issues for property owners.
“Remind me: why are we doing this? Where was the problem?” Christenson asked. “There’s going to be a lot of property owners who aren’t going to be happy.”
She recommended requiring motorists to park with at least two tires off of a roadway, see how residents feel about the change, then move from there.
Rash questioned if requiring people to park with all tires off of roadways would reduce the amount of beach access parking in the city.
Mayor Judy Titsworth said city staff had identified all beach access parking spots and found that all could accommodate parking without tires on pavement. She told Rash to speak with public works staff to address his concerns.
Rash said he couldn’t vote for the ordinance until he did so.
Two people voiced concern about the proposed ordinance during public comment, including resident Nancy Deal.
Deal said that while she wouldn’t mind the regulation since the rights of way along her property are gravel, she could see how it may bother other property owners with grass yards and landscaping.
Schaefer moved to send the ordinance to a second reading and Commissioner Pat Morton seconded.
Please consider otherwise. I have enough broken sprinkler heads from people parking on my grass.