Treasure Island Board Mulls Special Event Parking

Treasure Island's Board of Commissioners called a special workshop Sept. 21st to review issues with special event parking.  The meeting started off with a clarification of some of the terms used in their Codes, while hearing the suggestions made by the Local Planning Agency (LPA).  While the Board did eventually decide on adopting the LPA's suggestions, it was as close to a split vote as a board of five could come.  With a consistent 3-2 split dividing the Board.

City Planner Lynn Rosetti started the meeting off by reviewing exactly what the special event parking permit issues were; as this has been a work-in-progress for the City of Treasure Island since October 2009.  With the most recent work having been done in March, when "the City Commision directed the LPA to revisit [the terms] 'Special Event Parking' and 'Temporary Parking.'"

Treasure Island's own Planning Board has recommended to the Board of Commissioners that their term "Parking: Special Event" should be split into two.  Thereby changing "Parking: Special Event" so that it would mean "parking approved by the City Commission for a recurring or non-recurring Special Event activity.  

The Planning Board then suggested that a separate definition for "Special Event" be created, as "an approved activity that can be either recurring or non-recurring." Noting that such an event would be "for a short duration of time, and is usually an entertainment, education, cultural, or neighborhood event."  With such "special events" ranging from neighborhood yard sales all the way to parades and carnivals.  Taking care to mention that the agreed upon cut-off time for such events was two weeks, and that it would be "permitted in all land-use districts."

It was this point, about the two weeks limitation, and the district distinction, that split the Board of Commissioners' votes.  City Manager Reid Silverman reminded the Board that "[they] don't know what type of special events [they're] going to get;" stressing that the Board's ability to negotiate with proposed events on a case-by-case basis would be their best choice.  

Commissioner Alan Bildz and Mayor Bob Minning voting against it, and Commissioners Carol Coward, Gail Caldwell, and Phil Collins giving the controlling votes for "Permitted by Special Exemption;" a condition where special events would be brought to the Board for review and approval.  Thus giving the Board the freedom to review individual special events without locking them into a position.