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Businesses, residents urge Santa Rosa County to address Navarre Beach parking and towing
Summary
Local business owners and residents urged commissioners to form a steering committee and use underutilized parking (including limited dual-use boat-ramp spots) rather than relying on towing; commissioners pressed for enforcement to protect dunes and emergency access.
Business owners and residents urged the Santa Rosa County commission to address chronic parking and access problems at Navarre Beach, proposing a steering committee to develop solutions and questioning the county's use of towing as an enforcement tool.
Kevin Retsky, who said his family has operated a business on the beach for 37 years, suggested convening a committee of people who work the beach daily to find solutions and better utilize underused parking, such as overflow spaces around the boat ramp. "Get the people that are out there every day and that have ideas," he told commissioners. Andy DeMartin, operator and owner of Andy D's (Navarre), agreed and cautioned that aggressive towing of restaurant parking lots can harm customer relations.
Commissioners and staff clarified the county's agreement with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) that the boat ramp is primarily for trailer/boat parking and that any overflow dual-use spots are limited. Staff said towing vendors will charge vehicle owners and the county will not pay a standby fee. Commissioners emphasized that illegal parking has hampered emergency access and damaged dunes; one commissioner cited photographs of vehicles parked on dunes and said protecting the beach and emergency access was the priority. Staff noted there is a parking-lot expansion planned to be funded from the tourist development bed tax.
