Commission authorizes city attorney letter after downtown shrimp-boat operator reneges on parking agreement

The commission directed the city attorney to send a written notice to the owners of the seafood/shrimp-boat property in downtown St. Andrews after the owners failed to follow through on a verbal agreement to exchange private parking for public spaces.

Commissioners said the property owners had allowed their cooling equipment and related infrastructure to occupy public parking spaces on Bay Avenue, and staff and the owners had discussed providing a commensurate number of parking spaces to the city in exchange. City staff told the commission the owners later declined to provide the parking that had been discussed, citing concerns about restricting the property for sale. At an earlier meeting staff said the action taken to accommodate the business was an emergency measure to keep the business open.

At the Jan. 28 meeting the commission voted 4-1 to authorize a letter from the city attorney giving the owners two weeks to either provide the promised parking or make arrangements; the motion reflected the view that staff had authority to remove the equipment if owners did not deliver. The roll call recorded Commissioners Halligas, Lucas, Granger and Street voting yes; Mayor Rowan cast the lone no vote. The clerk recorded the motion passing 4-1.

Commissioners said they expect staff to return with an update and that removal of equipment or relocation of the units would follow if owners did not honor the deadline. Mayor Rowan and others said the city had acted in good faith to support downtown businesses but must also protect public right-of-way and city parking resources.