Bradenton Beach building official Bill Palmer presented a report to commissioners June 27 that identified violations at two paid parking lots — the Pines lot at 205 First St. N. and the lot at 101 Bridge Street — and called for corrective actions.
The lots, owned by developer Shawn Kaleta, came under scrutiny after the owner applied to renew temporary use permits for the parking operations.
Palmer said both lots lack compliance with Florida statutes, Florida building codes and Bradenton Beach’s land development code. Issues include improper or missing handicap signage, lack of stormwater drainage plans and absent or insufficient trash receptacles.
Palmer noted that existing Americans with Disabilities Act signage lacks required verbiage and fails to meet dimension requirements. “Florida statute requires signage that clearly states a valid permit is required. Many of these just have a wheelchair logo or vague wording,” Palmer said.
He added that walking routes from the spaces to destinations must be paved and level. “None of the parking lots have accessible routes made of hard surface like asphalt or concrete,” he said.
Responding to Palmer’s report, Commissioner Scott Bear referred to an April discussion regarding the Pines lot.
“The applicant stood here and told us that they were going to allocate a certain number of spaces to the Pines residents,” Bear said, referring to people living in the Pines Trailer Park.
“Every one of the spaces in that parking lot is listed as paid parking,” he said. “There’s no additional signage saying, ‘Reserved for Pines residents.’”
He continued, “So I would think they need to have additional signage out there saying these are first reserved for the Pines residents or, if not, I have a problem with them saying that was what they were going to do to get their temporary permit.”
Agreeing with Bear, Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce called for enforcement.
“I think they’re skirting the issue and they’re just hoping that nobody notices,” Scaccianoce added. “I really think the city needs to make sure that they are in compliance not only with the Bridge Street one but also the Pines lot.”
Mayor John Chappie emphasized consistent enforcement: “This is all about making sure everybody in the city is following the same rules.”
Palmer confirmed that exemptions were requested for the Bridge Street lot due to its “temporary” designation but he said he gave some pushback. “To me, temporary means 90 to 180 days,” Palmer said. “That lot isn’t going to see development for a year or more.”
The Bridge Street lot was approved for a temporary use permit while awaiting development of a 106-room resort.
Bear also said it’s important all paid parking lots in the city are being scrutinized in a similar manner.
Palmer committed to inspecting additional lots and updating commissioners.
Sam Negrin, spokesperson for Beach to Bay LLC., which oversees operations for both lots, told The Islander June 27 that efforts to satisfy compliance would begin June 30
“We are starting on all parking lot fixes on Monday,” Negrin wrote in a text.
About the Pines lot, Negrin stated: “Residents can park there free of charge as long as they provide us their license plate number.”