More than 20 parking spaces in Anna Maria are set to open up for public use — for a price.
City commissioners unanimously voted Sept. 11 to approve a site plan to improve two vacant lots at 9806 Gulf Drive into a pay-to-park lot managed by Sarasota-based Easy Parking Group.
The property, zoned residential/office/retail district, is next to Robinhood Rentals AMI and across Gulf Drive from Ginny’s & Jane E’s Cafe and Gift Store.
Bradenton resident Jerry Hynton owns the property through JRHAMI.
The unpaved lot will have 22 spaces, including one accessible space compliant with the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act, which ensures equal opportunity to public accommodations.
The approved site plan shows locations for a payment kiosk and six parking management signs with QR codes.
People who park in the lot will pay at the kiosk, via application or text message.
Josh LaRose of Easy Parking Group has said the cost of parking in the lot would be $5-$7 per hour and EPG employees would monitor the property.
City planner Ashley Austin told commissioners the proposed use is consistent with the municipality’s ROR zoning district, city code and the comprehensive plan.
The site plan includes a required landscape buffer adjacent to residential property to the west, as well as an unrequired landscape buffer along the property’s southern boundary.
However, Austin said the adjacent property owner on the south side requested removal of the landscape buffer to eliminate potential access conflicts.
She said staff recommended approval of the site plan, with the condition that the southern landscape buffer is removed.
The city’s planning and zoning board had unanimously voted Aug. 20 to recommend commission approval with the recommended condition.
Commissioner Christopher Arendt said he was “all for” opening parking spots on the north end by approving the site plan.
There was no public comment.
Commissioner Gary McMullen moved to approve the proposed site plan without the southern landscape buffer.
Arendt seconded the motion, which passed.
In other matters…
City commissioners also:
- Unanimously voted to approve a variance for property at 102 Tuna St. and 104 Tuna St., where existing homes became nonconforming with city code due to a recent subdivision;
- Unanimously voted to approve a variance to rebuild a nonconforming dock, with a stipulation that no mangroves at the property are removed;
- Unanimously voted on a motion to approve debris removal contracts with Louisiana-based Dynamic Group, Pompano Beach-based Rapid Response Disaster Services, Texas-based TFR Enterprises and New York-based United Freight Services in the event of an emergency;
- Unanimously voted to approve a contract with Texas-based AC Disaster Consulting for comprehensive disaster recovery management services.
The city commission will meet next at 5:01 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.