Will Holmes Beach set a limit where the rubber meets the road?
City commissioners discussed a draft ordinance May 24 that would require motorists parking in Holmes Beach rights of way to park with all tires off the roadway.
City engineer Sage Kamiya said such a regulation would enhance roadway safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians by clearing space along the margins.
He said the measure fits with the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization’s “Destination Zero” action plan — an initiative aimed at eliminating traffic-related deaths and serious injuries.
Kamiya said the draft ordinance would provide discretion to code and law enforcement officers upholding it, so they could give leeway to landscaping, construction and delivery services that might not have space to park with all tires off the road.
He said, in those instances, such services could use traffic cones to zone off vehicles forced to temporarily park with tires on the road.
“That’s why we love our friends in blue: because there’s a lot of gray area that they have to try to interpret. But, generally speaking, if it is kind of temporary and they can do their thing, I think we kind of allow them,” Kamiya said.
He added that the discussion was sparked by the city’s efforts to better identify public parking at the request of Manatee County commissioners who have complained about limited access to parking in the municipality.
Commission Chair Carol Soustek said she was “all for” requiring motorists to park with all tires off the roads.
Commissioners reached consensus to send the draft ordinance to a first reading and public hearing.
The commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The meeting will be open to the public. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at holmesbeachfl.org.