Indian Rocks Beach takes further steps to charge for parking amid praise and scrutiny

Residents would be exempt under the plan which will be revisited by next month.

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. — Amid praise and criticism, a proposal to end free parking in Indian Rocks Beach moved forward Tuesday night.

City commissioners voted to move forward during a packed meeting with plans to start charging for $4.50 an hour from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

Residents would be exempt from paying at metered locations upon display of an issued parking decal and resident-only parking spaces would be exempt.

A number of locals who spoke up during the meeting said they commend the city for doing more to ensure visitors and other guests provide their own share to maintain the area. 

“Owners here are spending enough on their tax bill already,” said one public commenter.

If approved, the metered parking would impact 182 parking spaces focusing on beach access points. ParkMobile would be the city’s vendor and it would be part of a months-long pilot program at first.

Unlike other beach communities, Indian Rocks Beach hasn’t charged parking. 

City Manager Ryan Henderson said the timing works out given delays from the last hurricane season and the $13 million in storm improvement repairs staff must come up with in the coming years.

Critics however voiced concerns about how nearby residents who frequent the beach would be able to afford the parking payments.

“I hear a lot from senior citizens who are upset about this, they don’t have the money for beach parking,” said one public commenter.

Some business owners also voiced concerns about how it may potentially impact them. Others who attended said they support the city gaining revenue but hope for a later start time to charge for parking since many people who live close to Indian Rocks Beach frequent the area in the morning.

Out-of-state visitors like Debbie Latsha of Pennsylvania said she enjoys the city’s ability to provide free parking and would be disappointed to see it dissolve.

“It has been a plus to have the free parking here and there’s not a lot of it,” Latsha said.

City commissioners are slated to revisit the topic by February when a second reading is scheduled to take place. Staff noted parking violations could amount up to $100.

If the plan follows through, staff said they plan to provide advanced notice to residents, along with a dedicated web page explaining the reason for the change in parking and where the money collected would go.