Flagler Beach government is inviting Palm Coast, Bunnell, Beverly Beach and the county to a joint discussion on June 21 addressing Flagler Beach’s challenges in the face of a growing onslaught of visitors on the island city.
Discussing the matter earlier this week, Flagler County commissioners were under the impression that Flagler Beach wanted to ask for money. “They’d like money,” County Administrator Heidi Petito told her commissioners, basing her summary on discussions with the Flagler Beach city manager. (See: “County All But Derides Flagler Beach’s Plea for Financial Aid to Manage Visitors’ Impact.”)
That’s not the case, Flagler Beach City Commission Chairman Eric Cooley said today.
“It’s not about asking for money. It’s about asking that we are intelligent about getting our residents to the beach in a way that doesn’t just involve putting our heads in the sand and assuming Flagler Beach will hold it,” Cooley said, “because our residents now are starting to cry out about this, because we’ve never seen this amount of people before. It’s never existed. And there’s getting to be a lot of negative pushback about it. Eventually, Flagler Beach will have to respond. Or we can just solve the problem as a county.”
It’s not a money problem. It’s an access problem, Cooley says.
Overwhelmingly, it’s visitors who use the city’s beaches, and overwhelmingly, it’s residents from across the bridge, and from palm Coast’s growing subdivisions. The city is likely past the 100,000 mark, according to census figures and trends. Those residents, Cooley says, move to Palm Coast, but do so in good measure because of the beach. That’s one of their main amenities. So they converge on the small city.
That’s not a problem, of course. But as Cooley sees it, there are different types of visitors, from local residents who make a day trip to the beach, to business travelers who see the beach as a useful amenity, to tourists, the latter two categories holding much of the purchasing power. Right now they’re all concentrated on Flagler Beach, though Flagler County has 18 miles of beachline, but not enough access points.
That’s one of the initiatives the county and other cities can cooperate on to develop, and to better manage the onslaught. If, for example, local residents interested in a day trip to the beach were better informed, or encouraged, to travel north and south of the heart of the city, and if they had places to park, the crunch would ease.
On the other hand, even if the city responded, whether by imposing parking restrictions, parking fees or spending $20 million on additional parking, Cooley said, “it still will not hold the amount of people we need to hold–to get all of these people who are moving in into the county–to the beach. So even if we spent a ton of money, we’re not going to solve the problem. We need the county to utilize all of this land that is up and down the coastline that is not even being used to actually get our own residents to the beach.”
There is little question that the 18 miles have limited access points, and what access points they do have are often overwhelmed with visitors. Flagler Beach’s State Road A1A is a parking garage on most days, but beaches north and south are only sparsely used.
“All our residents have no issues of beach access. They don’t need parking here on beachside,” Cooley said. “Everyone that needs to be able to park here in this city to get access to the beach is not from here. And there’s a business plan on that, we want our businesses to do well.” But as he has discussed on the Tourist Development Council, the county-wide council where he represents Flagler Beach, “we are going to have a direct conflict between existing Flagler Beach residents, county residents, and tourism all having access to the beach at the same time. We have that conflict coming.”
The city alone will not be able to resolve it, he said. Nor will money spent in the city, when the issue is more a matter of broad-eyed strategy, looking at the entire coast and finding ways to spread visitors. That includes re-calibrating tourism messages toward that balance.
The Flagler Beach City Commission’s letter inviting representatives from other governments to the June 21 meeting had been very general, referring only to strategy, not to specifics–nor to money–as a point of discussion. The letter, written by Flagler Beach Mayor Suzie Johnston, also invited the cities and the county to contribute agenda items or discussion. While every city and the county are attending, they all declined to contribute discussion items, and all are approaching the meeting with leeriness.
But that’s likely to to a misunderstanding of intentions, Cooley said. In his view, Petito unnecessarily conflated what sums the county is already contributing to the city in various ways with the city’s appeal for help, on the false assumption that the ask is for more money.
But even those specifics on access points are only part of the discussion, Cooley said. “We really wanted to kind of go into this meeting open minded about: what can we as a collective body, as a county, do municipality-wise, about ensuring that all residents have proper beach access?” he said. He does not want representatives to show up with minds made up, or closed, or suspicious.
“We don’t want money,” Cooley said. “Actually this meeting is the opposite of that. We want to come up with solutions that will avoid the finger-pointing.”
Katie Berry says
Advise: Do not build! Focus on restoration projects and then you can incorporate slow building with some smaller community developments. As a community we must focus on our current community structure, safety and health and take care us what we have so visiting can remain a positive visit. Without this, we will have over population and no structure with no community. Visitors will not want to visit. Focus on whst you have and improve that for your current people.
T says
So it’s bout money lol
Definitely not Mike OMeally. says
I heard the north of the county is completely filled with bees and snakes.
And that vultures who’ll snatch a child’s hand right off hang out on the electric poles.
Be wary of the north of the cooooounty
Robin says
Ultimately it will involve money. Look to the south where Volusia County has created beach access points with lifeguards, parking ( some involving a local Lutheran church), bathrooms, and foot showers.
Varn Park, Jungle Hut, and Salt Park offer some of these amenities ( no lifeguards), but obviously more are needed such as at the water tower access. FB is no longer a sleepy little beach town and coordinated effort with an eye to the future is needed.
More visitor access to the beaches (with amenities) means more $$ for local businesses.
A trolley shuttle system? A beach tag system such as what is used in other areas? Only discussions will produce productive solutions.
Anonymous says
Go to 2:46 in this audio and listen to Flagler Beach request money, but yet it’s not about money? Really? Who are you kidding.
Jimbo99 says
I don’t understand what they’re after then. The beach is it’s own tourism draw. Those tourists stay in a Motel on A1A, they do beach things with themselves & families. The intracoastal is a boater’s thing. when one comes to the mainland side of Flagler county, that’s more of the woodsman tourism thing. FL at a certain time of the year, ceases to be anything forest tourism ? Too cold to sleep in a tent pretty much. Even in the winter the beach has more draw for the warmer beach days.
What’s the problem here ? Outside of the bike trails, cycling is about the only Mainland draw for tourists really ? Look at the photo of the pier area ? Those folks don’t strike me as tourists, or even locals that are leaving the beach to ride a bicycle on the trails, be it Lehigh or the MTB Graham Swamp. What does that leave beachside after FL 100 ? There’s really the resort beach parking, Bing’s Landing, Washington Oaks Gardens Park, Marineland, Matanzas Inlet & the Fort. In case they didn’t notice, all of that is beachside. What’s to balance for tourism in Flagler county, it’s lopsided for attractions. The Splash Pad is a disaster. Long gone was Marco Polo Park in the 1970’s. Maybe cycling or driving the Tomoka loop & that state park is an attraction ? But that means tourists are leaving Flagler county for Volusia, even St Johns as tourism leakage.
Part of the deal with Flagler county is that it has it’s limitations. It’s a narrow strip of county top to bottom and there really isn’t a sustainable theme park here like Disney was to Orlando. Mainland area, there’s the MX track on US 1 as another draw. But not everyone is into Motocross racing. Understanding the economy of Flagler County isn’t hard, it’s pretty simple, it’s a beach based FL community really. Since the attraction is the Atlantic Ocean, unless it reclaims the Peninsula, there is no distributing that.
Dennis Clark says
There is another problem. There is no beach remaining at high tide anymore in the Hammock so beachgoers have to time their visits with the tides. The dredging replenishment project planned for south Flagler Beach may help in that area.
Greg says
We have the wrong people leading Palm Coast and the county, if you want that to happen Makes perfect sense though. Palm Coast want to build on every bs ent piece of land. Money is all Palm Coast thinks about. Can’t take care of what they have now. Roads are falling apart, it lets build more houses, and change land zoning. Quality of life gets worse every day.
Blame Game says
They’ve killed their small town with a brand like Margaritaville. It will bring big box restaurants and businesses to the mom and pops. It will run the mom and pops out. It will kill the older hotels off, which will sell out and other hotel chains will buy in. They did it to themselves.
Mike says
So you are saying that its ok for the county to continue to push hundreds of thousands of people into a community and have 5,000 pay for it? Meanwhile the County has limited access loints and zero lifeguards. Why does the County rely on Flagler Beach for the entire beach services instead of providing their own. Are you a resident of Flagler Beach that is ok for your tax dollars to continuously rise to pay for the increase in visitors. Are you ok with another 100,000 people coming into your town, parking on your front lawn? As a City we also pay into the county so asking for any additional services is ok. But what is not ok is to cram 200,000 people into a 5,000 person bottle.
Shark says
Why would anyone want to go there ?
Mike B says
Perhaps instead of the boutique hotel Flagler should consider a municipal parking garage, the offers paid parking and a fair rate and provides a revenue source.
JAFO says
This was a big problem when I worked for the city of Flagler beach they had multiple opportunities to annex all of John Anderson Hwy, state road 100 to old kings rd, all of Robert’s road and even Beverly beach. Everyone in Flagler beach bitched and whined like a bunch of babies .The city should be rolling in $$ right now but, are not. Why? They turn every opportunity away. So all I have to say is SHAME ON YOU FLAGLER BEACH. Prior,Proper,planning,prevents,Piss Poor Performance.
Jimmy says
Yes. Stay away from us, uh, I mean North County! :)
Jimmy says
Coming from Johnston and Cooley…oh boy. The city’s brand of Dont Make Me Cross the Bridge only works until they run the city into the ground. Now they need money. Shocker. And the conversation most certainly is about money. Otherwise it’s a waste of time. Some meeting about where to tell people to go is a waste of time. FB has so many duplicate services, that they do have what it takes to improve their city if they’d consolidate services. These are the choices your electeds have made, FB. Cooley has been there the whole time.
And to the other lady about not building, it’s all those old beat up buildings and trailer parks you have over there that barely pay taxes because they’ve been there for 50 years.
Get your own house in order before asking for handouts!
Laurel says
Mike: Palm Coast is purposely placing apartments just west of Flagler Beach. They don’t want them west of PC.
Also, there are only three things to do here:
1.) Race to the inlet
2.) Race back from the inlet
3.) Go to Flagler Beach
Palm Coast itself, is one of the dullest places around. Not so much imagination. Bulldozing wildlife habitats.
Wow says
Perhaps if the TDC is going to advertise Palm Coast “and the Flagler Beaches” then they should be shooting some money to Flagler Beach for advertising rights.
Daniel Finn says
When a subdivision is built, you can rest assured that stakeholders are having their pockets lined. As long as kickbacks are given, overbuilding will continue. They do not care about maintaining a small-town environment. It’s just another example of self-aggrandizement. For some, this is the American way.
Keep in mind that it is much easier to climb the letter if one loses their moral compass. This explains why there is so much corruption at the top of government.
I am a retired history professor. All governmental systems throughout history, have one commonality, greed.
Tjmelton says
Toll booths! & Put EZ pass in! Beach passes! Surcharge beverages! All beer…$10.00! And any mixed beverage the name of which begins with “M” should be a buck more! Tax french fries! Build more hotels with parking space for the entire planet!
Celia Pugliese says
The problem here is the the county for decades did away with impact fees benefitting developers and still our impact fees are too low comparison counties and cities outside Flagler County…So we are enduring the giveaway to developers for decades and now currently the insufficient impact fees that should have paid for needed infrastructure like public reasonably paid parking lots near A1A in FB, and services additional lifeguards in FB, and Jungle Hut, Varn Park, Salt Park and other Palm Coast beach parks. Now they are thinking to add an special assessment (to little too late) impact fee for law enforcement given the sheriff asking for 12.5 % =several millions more for services to County and Palm Coast and also all taxpayers and officials need to see that even the SOE given the additional newcomers voters registrations increased asking for also unusual budget increase. All that should have been paid by impact fees for the past 20 plus years…but was not as FCBOCC exempted them for many years benefitting who…?. That is the price of growth that should be paid by itself and not by the existing residents! And yes Flagler Beach is very realistic on its request, they also need safety and quality of life! Raise impact fees or No new building!
Jane Gentile-Youd says
Jimmy , Flagler Mayor Suzie Johnston all my herself tried to re-kindlle a stte gant for their necessary boardwalk repairs needed in addion to a new Pier, City Manager dropped the ball into her inexperienced lap and she did the best she could but COUNTY and STATE said no passees for missing deadlimes. Mayor Suzie tried to save the money lost by city manager. You leave my Suzie alone
Daniel Finn says
Impact fees are passed on to the homeowner or apartment tenant.
Tjmelton says
Yes! Buy the cops more Harleys & mustangs. 51 mil for repaving! Garbage increase. Storm water run off processing increase. You people are on drugs. Who is running this circus? Is there no end to the money you want?
BJM says
By suggesting that tourists utilize beaches to the south, Flagler pushes these people into OBS, which is unincorporated Volusia and has no enforcement or protective measures, or into North Peninsula State Park where tourists regularly park on roadsides, destoying vegetation and crushing gopher tortoises in the process. Why should the state parks and residents of a non-commercial area be burdened with the onslaught of tourists that Flagler businesses attracted in the first place and are now complaining about?
Bailey says
A toll booth at the City line on 100 might have the rest of Flagler County begging for cooperation from the City of Flagler Beach.
If the beach was not free to nonresidents the value of their homes would plummet (even more)
Maybe it’s time for Flagler Beach to be the first in the nation to go private – like a golf course would if a city state or county didn’t properly fund the attraction properly.
Also where’s their fair share of the sales tax Flagler collects? The State gets 5% and Flagger gets 1% on top. 1.5% used to be the most allowed
Another .5% (half a cent) increase designated to the City of Flagler Beach could give the city the ability to function without being at the mercy of government grants and disaster relief funds. I bet they could even actually hire people and contractors to make it beautiful and the envy of Florida. The half a cent surely wouldn’t hurt anyone’s pocket too hard and Flagler County Government could go on as usual costing them NOTHING
Raise the sales tax on all not the property taxes on the few in the beach city limits
LAW ABIDING CITIZEN says
Don’t hold your breathe, if you are expecting any support or input to the issues of Flagler Beach you are definitely not getting them from the county administrator Petito or the FCBOCC with the exceptions of Leann Pennington ,Greg Hensen and Andy Dance who really care about the county as a whole. Petito and the others are only interested in their own self serving interest and are incapable of handling their own county and PC issues, just look at the shithole they made of PC along with their zoning and developer buddy’s. In fact they should be fired but instead one of those commissioners intends to run for Renners seat a even higher position while he sat on his butt passing all kinds of disastrous agendas compromising our environment and quality of life.
They only help themselves and not anyone else. They can’t even make a strategic plan to improve the city of Palm Coast, they are ineffective and inefficient along with Danko and Klufas, don’t expect anything from these clowns.