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DDA reviews downtown parking pilot and prepares recommendations for City Commission
Summary
The DDA reviewed survey results on recent downtown parking changes (520 responses; 62% reporting negative impact) and discussed employee permits, enforcement, in-lieu fees and neighborhood hotspots. The board agreed to send updated recommendations to the City Commission and to follow up with the city manager for permit and revenue data before the April 21 City Commission review.
At its April 13 meeting the Downtown Development Authority reviewed results of a DDA-run survey of recent downtown parking changes and discussed operational issues with the city's pilot program ahead of a City Commission review scheduled for April 21.
Laura Simon, DDA attorney, presented headline survey figures: "We got a pretty large response. 520 people responded to that survey" and, she said, "62% reported a negative impact" and "57% say parking is now harder to find." Simon summarized common open-ended feedback: higher costs, confusing signage, loss of free parking before 4 p.m., and concerns about displacement to competing cities.
On employee parking, Simon said responses were more positive: 42 respondents (mainly employees and business owners) supported the $10 monthly employee permit covering lots west of the bridge; the city's separate $99 annual beach pass covers Atlantic/A1A and was discussed as an option for beach-side staff. Board members flagged operational problems including monthly renewals, part-time worker affordability, and enforcement mistakes that resulted in permit holders receiving tickets.
Discussion shifted to local hotspots and policy tradeoffs. Members raised concerns that earlier enforcement start times (11 a.m.), reduced daytime free parking and new time limits have reduced daytime visits to downtown businesses. Several board members recommended focusing enforcement and pricing on turnover while preserving garage or designated long-term parking for all-day visitors.
Members also debated in-lieu parking fees and whether those funds have been used to create parking supply; multiple members said fees have sometimes been used for maintenance rather than for adding new parking and urged clarity and a dedicated spending plan. The board asked staff to compile round figures on revenue collected under the pilot and to follow up with the city manager to obtain the city's permit and revenue data.
Next steps: the DDA will transmit its survey findings and the board's recommended changes to the city manager and the City Commission; staff will attempt to obtain permit, enforcement and revenue data to inform the April 21 City Commission review.
