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St. Augustine businesses press commission to ease ‘Nights of Lights’ parking limits as city weighs short extension
Summary
Local merchants and hospitality workers told the City Commission that temporary residential parking rules and a 1 p.m. start time are hurting Uptown sales, while some residents urged keeping the shortened schedule. Commissioners asked staff to test commercial-zone adjustments and approved limited 5 p.m. resident-only pilot changes.
A wave of Uptown merchants and employees told St. Augustine’s City Commission that this year’s temporary residential-parking rules for the Knights of Lights season are cutting into business and costing jobs, and several asked the commission to change start times or extend the holiday light season.
During a lengthy public-comment period, small-business owners and employees described sharp drops in November sales and urged a later start for parking restrictions — “somewhere around 5 p.m.,” many said — so customers can access stores in the afternoon. “My sales were down about 20% in November compared to last year,” said Liz Snyder, an Uptown storefront owner. “If we could…
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