North end may get parking break

The Longboat Key Town Commission is in gear to pass new parking restrictions for the Longbeach Village.

The commission unanimously agreed at Monday’s workshop to forward a proposed parking ordinance to its Oct. 6 regular meeting for first reading. If the commission approves it in November on second reading, restrictions could take effect that month.

The proposed ordinance adds the following restrictions:

• No parking for the entire north side of Broadway Street from Palm Drive to Bayside Drive;

• No parking from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on the entire south side of Broadway from Palm Drive to Bayside Drive;

• No parking on the east side of the street on Lois Avenue between Broadway and Russell Street;

• No parking on the east side of Poinsetta Drive between Broadway and Russell Street.
The ordinance incorporates suggestions that Village residents made at an April 21 workshop for alleviating parking.

Citizen suggestions focused on three major areas: A parking plan to meet the needs of the Village residents, code enforcement issues concerning Jewfish Key rentals, and monitoring seating at Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub.

Vice Mayor Jack Duncan expressed concerns about the ordinance’s language.

“If the commission is going to move forward, the ordinance itself needed to be written in a clear and concise language affected residents and business owners can understand,” Duncan said.

Mayor Jim Brown also expressed concerns about parking for boaters on the south side Bayside Drive, where there is no proposed parking on either side of the street at anytime.

“There is limited access parking for up to three vehicles with trailers in that area,” Public Works Director Juan Florensa said. “And if there isn’t enough room in those designated spots, parking will be available along Linley Street.”

Several members of the public spoke in favor of the proposed changes.

“We see the congestion on both sides, and we’re very much in favor,” said Village resident Ruth Gray.
Cause for complaints

Longbeach Village residents outlined these concerns to commissioners last spring:

• Roads are too narrow for emergency vehicles when cars are parked on both sides of the road;

• Residents are unable to navigate turns into and out of driveways, alleys and intersections when cars are parked on both sides;

• Drivers cannot pass when cars are parked on both sides;

• Parking signs are difficult to see;

• Residents cannot park in front of their homes due to demand for parking spaces during peak season;

• Cars are parked for days at a time on streets by boaters, who often have trailers, and Jewfish Key visitors.