The Flagler Beach City Commission got its first glimpse at an app-based paid-parking system for the city this afternoon from Passport Parking, a company with more than 800 clients across the country. The commission was non-committal, but most Flagler Beach residents who spoke approved of the plan, some guardedly, some enthusiastically–as long as the plan exempts Flagler Beach residents from paying–and some, disbelieving in a parking problem, opposed.
Alexandra Wells, a regional director for the Charlotte, N.C.-based company, told the commission that it could have its system up and running within 60 to 90 days.
But Commissioner Eric Cooley cautioned: “This is a preliminary, preliminary, preliminary discussion. There’s no decisions being made imminently. And when there is, there’s going to be multiple meetings on paid parking. So I don’t want anybody to think the sky is falling or there’s going to be a decision that’s going to be made immediately, and there will be a lot of public input, and this will be a very slow process.”
As it has been in Flagler Beach, which has considered paid parking for years, without movement. But previous plans depended on clunky, rust-prone and high-maintenance parking meters. Like payphones, those relics are disappearing, replaced by app-based systems that require nothing more than signage and spaces.
Passport made its presentation during a one-hour workshop this evening. Several Flagler Beach residents addressed the commission, most in support of a paid parking plan of some sort–but most opposed to charging Flagler Beach residents. Passport’s system will allow for that distinction. The system is based on license plates. Residents could register as residents, and if that’s what the city commission approves, city residents could be exempt from charges.
Whether they would be exempt from parking time limits is another story.
The system would allow the city to map out its streets in zones, to charge some rates in some zones, other rates in other zones, to charge certain rates at certain times of the day and different rates at other times, or to charge more during special events, like Fourth of July. The system would allow for time limits of two, three or any hour the city chooses.
It would also give merchants the option to validate parking for their clients: a restaurant or a hair salon could have its own account, paying clients’ fees through validation. Wells said merchants typically resist paid parking at first only to embrace it subsequently, though a pair of downtown merchants who spoke to the commission today were in support.
“We’re at a point where at least in some parts of the city, all day. During the day, we have tremendous parking issues,” Ted Barnhill, owner of Barnhill’s Bar and Grill across the street from City Hall, on 2nd Street, said. Last month Barnhill submitted a proposal to the city’s planning board to implement two-hour parking in a small zone south of State Road 100. The Planning Board embraced it and sent it up to the City Commission for discussion. The commission has not touched it, even though the proposal is dubbed as a stop-gap between the current situation and the time when a paid parking system is in place.
Ken Bryan, the former city commission, was fully supportive. “Flagler Beach is the only town, pretty much from Jacksonville all the way to Miami, that does not have some type of a charge,” he said. “As a resident, I don’t come over here that much because it’s hard to find a place to park. So I really compliment you on doing this. And I encourage you to do this. As a former commissioner and chairman sitting up there, this is something we need to do in order to help our revenue.”
A North 11th street resident took the approach that appears to have some favor in town: “I don’t even consider it paid parking. I consider it usage fee,” he said, fully supportive of charging, but only out of towners. “Residents of Flagler Beach should never have to pay for parking. Ever. They probably should be reimbursed,” he said.
That goes for drivers of golf carts, who would automatically be exempt from paying, even without license plates, since only Flagler Beach residents are allowed to drive golf carts in the city.
There was opposition. A Flagler Beach resident ridiculed the notion that there’s a parking problem, just as he ridiculed the notion that there’s a traffic problem. “I’m from Atlanta, I know what bad traffic is,” he said, making the comparison with parking. He did not buy the claim that the city would make money.
A group of out-of-towners dressed in the garb of self-proclaimed “constitutionalists” who trooped into the meeting in full activist posture, one of them taking video of the proceedings with his phone. Several spoke in opposition to paid parking, saying the beaches should be free for people to use and one of them, mistaking the Hammock Dunes Bridge for the Flagler Beach Bridge. He said the city should have stopped charging motorists going across years ago.
The city is considered paid parking for some of the reasons Passport cites as beneficial: it would cycle traffic through parking spaces more frequently, to the benefit of businesses, and it would generate some additional revenue for the city, though how much remains unclear. For enforcement, the city would need to either hire a contractor or designate staff.
Passport would charge a flat fee for each parker. The city would get the rest. For example, if a parking charge was $2 for two hours, there would be an additional 25 to 35-cent fee that would go to Passport. The city would take in $2.
“The biggest thing is increased parking turnover and efficiency,” Wells said. It increases foot traffic that benefits businesses, increasing merchant revenue. “There’s enough parking for everyone. It’s just a matter of being better to organize what you have and allocate those spaces accordingly.”
Another running advantage: the company’s improvements to the app and the “user experience” would be automatically applied to its clients, Flagler Beach included, without costs. Nor would there be upfront capital costs for the city. Passport would assume the cost of signs and replacement signs.
But many questions remain.
“I assume this will be a pretty good, big talking point in strategic planning as we plan out the next five years or so,” Commission Chair James Sherman said.
JimboXYZ says
This wasn’t in the Vision of 2050 brochure ? Go ahead & charge, easily defeated as anyone that can ride a bicycle to the beach. It’s comical that anyone even brought it up, Flagler Beach isn’t South Beach Miami, FL or even Ft Lauderdale, not even Ponce Inlet to Ormond by the Sea for beach parking. There are quite a few State parks (Washington Oaks & any others) , even Marineland. And those parks have parking lots that would be included in a Park Pass with the State of FL.
Who is paying for the kiosks, computers & whatever else is necessary to pay for smartphone like app parking ? The residents that live in the trailers beachside ? Post photos of the people that brain-farted/brain-stormed to hatch this scheme of outright stupidity so we know who they are & need to avoid them for their mental illness ? Palm Coast/Flagler County Growth& Vision of 2050 failing yet again. Sad that Bunnell & Flagler Beach followed Alfin’s lead, grossly underfunded for any Lack of Vision of 2050.
Before you know it, this will be like South Beach, residents will need a permit to park on the streets, because there is obviously inadequate parking in Flagler Beach for what the county has grown into & become. One of the biggest problems in South Beach are residents that constantly have vehicles towed by the parasitic towing companies. Those towing services are almost legalized contracts for a grand theft auto to extort towing & storage fees. Way to go, in 4 years they have come up with new ways to ruin Flagler Beach from the sleepy beach township. Margaritaville is about the only noteworthy motel around the pier, the rest of them are legacy motels from the 1950’s or prior ?
I must admit I’m astonished, I didn’t think anyone could come up with an idea that was anything worse than when they considered the Welcome Center to be located on A1A around South 9th Street or whatever that specific location was for that vacant lot ?
Mothersworry says
No parking problem?? Who the heck took that position???? I live in FB, south of the water tower. It is easier and more enjoyable to drive south on A1A to Ormond Beach to do any shopping. FB parking is a PIA! I haven’t been to downtown FB maybe 5 times in the past couple of years. A parking fee for the purpose of beach re-nourishment in my opinion is something that should be looked at favorably.
Pig Farmer says
I live in Palm Coast and would not be opposed to paying for parking on Flagler Beach, as long as restaurants would validate/pay the parking fee. Flagler Beach could make some money and it would discourage people from taking up a parking space all day. Win – win.
Tony says
800 clients across America says it all !!!!
Face it says
Liberals have destroyed Palm Coast, now they are coming for Flagler Beach. We need to send them all back to NAZI Germany.
Greg says
I really don’t care as I have handicap plates and park for free. But I hope that Palm Coast sets up the same process and charges Flagler Beach and others to park at any establishment in Palm Coast
PDiddy says
Rumor has it that Fins has been sold and will be replaced with a 5 story parking garage, any truth to this?
Laurel says
Paid parking, go for it! Residential license plates exempt, perfect! Out of town folks, out of state folks, pay up. I love it! Finally, something that makes sense.
Denise Henry says
I hope this parking system isn’t planning QR Codes! Commissioners need to look up the new scamming technique called “brushing” and why one county is applying 6000 labels over the codes. True there is a parking issue because the ocean consumed parking spaces that existed when I moved in 2014. Making route 100 to only two lanes to add paid parking on both sides is not the answer either. Four lanes is still needed for traffic congestion. Maybe the city should consider land near fire and police stations for all day parking for employees and people who do want to be at the beach all day.
Shark says
Why would anyone want to go to flagler beach???? Just a bunch of overpriced greasy spoons and not much of a beach !!!
Mike says
Volusia county residents park free at Beaches. Non residents pay. I think they have to register. Seems fair enough do the same. Local folks tend take pride cause live here. Visitors looking for FREE stuff like parking not so much I don’t think.
Volusia rates
*****”
Non-residents will be charged for parking.
* Off-beach parking: $20 per day or $100 for an annual pass.
* Beach driving: $30 per day or $150 for an annual pass.
* Non residents will have to purchase seperate passes for on beach driving, and off beach parking.
Andy Montgomery says
I’m 78 with a degree in computer science from Georgia Tech. Time, eyesight and patience are obstacles for many of our elderly citizens.
Several weeks ago I was traveling the coast near the Space Center. I pulled in to see what the beach looked like. I had no clue how to download app with poor service. Caused me a lot of emotional distress.
Being a lover of authority like James Dean, I decided to hobble run 50 yards to see my peace. Back in 4 minutes the parking ticketing professional who races around to his 4 20 car lots was past my car. I chased him down he tried to ghost me and he explained how t works. He asked me what car I was in I pointed to my van. He said we don’t ticket handicap no sign).
I thanked the Lord for getting me out of another one. I prayed no one shoots the the ticket professional and am thankful I had better work opportunities.
Mitch Cumstein says
What if you park in a parking lot? With the parking fee charge still have to be paid by if you park in the parking lot?
celia pugliese says
Paid parking is necessary in Flagler Beach…but relisticaly all to pay for parking No exemption. My view is why to exempt FB residents that park in their own driveways? Some FB residents use the A1A parking spots for many hours at the time to go tthe beach all day. to realax, surf or boogie board. Its time that the county and Flagler Beach build a several stories Fee Sustained Public Parking in those lands nearby the city Police station alongside Rte 100 with a nice restaurant and bar on the top given the scenic view! Get some state grants from FDOT and bonds to pay for it. Othetrwise all the grants the FCBOCC solicits from FDOT and FAA are to benefit the FINK airport flight schools lately and no benefit but danger and nuisance to most residents.
DP says
The city hasn’t added a single parking space in 20 years. In fact, they gave up spaces to the new hotel and by adding bathroom s to row parking lots, No wonder we have a parking problem.
Not parking in FB says
I saw this system in Davis, CA.
If your phone can’t access WiFi, you can’t use the app. We were in a town where you could not park anywhere without the app. It was not on our iPhone as we were visiting and our phone could not get service to download the app!
Great! That will cut down on the number of people at the beach! The question is will the Margaritaville Hotel be paying for this?