Indian Rocks Beach city commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 13 to advance a six-month paid parking pilot program that would charge nonresidents to park at certain beach access locations, despite weeks of criticism from residents and visitors.
The City Commission approved the ordinance on first reading in a 5-0 vote following an extended public comment period in which more than two dozen speakers urged the board to reconsider.
Under the pilot program, nonresidents would pay $4.50 per hour through a parking app to use 182 beach access parking spaces. Residents would continue to park for free throughout the city using a window decal. Commissioners also voted unanimously to set $100 fines for violations.
The commission adjusted the proposed enforcement hours during the meeting, changing them from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The board did not approve any exemptions for seniors, military members or students.
During public comment, several speakers objected to the plan, arguing it would make the beach less accessible and could negatively affect local businesses.
“I strongly object to imposing parking fees,” resident Mike Campbell said. “Going to the beach is one of the few things that everybody can do.”
Campbell added that the fees could amount to “$18 per day to park,” which he said not everyone can afford.
Amy McPherson also warned the commission of potential impacts to the local economy.
“Once you start charging for parking, the businesses are going to get hurt,” McPherson said.
City Manager Ryan Henderson told commissioners the program was expected to generate significant revenue that could help support beach maintenance and upkeep.
“We’ve run the numbers conservatively on what we would receive on paid parking at 182 parking spots in the city of Indian Rocks Beach, and it’s conservatively over $1 million,” Henderson said.
Henderson said staff recommended focusing the pilot program on beach access locations for consistency and enforcement purposes.
“There are over 300 paid parking spots in Indian Rocks Beach,” Henderson said. “So what I asked the commission to consider in December is to allow us to do a pilot program where we focus on about half of those, which would be the beach access points, for consistency purposes and for enforcement purposes.”
Commissioner Jude Bond said the decision was not driven by a desire to generate money, but by broader concerns about the city’s beach areas.
“This is not a public money grab,” Bond said.
Bond said the plan “came from concerns of traffic and parking congestion,” calling it “a way of managing that.” He also described the pilot as “us trying to protect our environment,” adding, “The cash is just a nice side effect.”
Henderson said the parking fee would not restrict public access to the shoreline itself.
“This is not a fee to use the beach,” Henderson said. “It’s a fee to use Indian Rocks Beach-maintained parking spots.”
The ordinance and fee resolution are expected to return to the commission for a second and final reading at the next City Commission meeting scheduled for Feb. 10.
