FLAGLER BEACH, Fla – Flagler Beach is grappling with a parking dilemma that has business owners looking for answers.
Limited parking in the downtown area has led to frustration, as visitors often occupy spaces all day, leaving few spots available for new arrivals. To address this issue, local business owners are proposing a solution: limiting parking duration.
The ongoing construction of the new Margaritaville Compass Hotel has temporarily reduced available parking spaces, but business owners believe this will not be sufficient to meet demand once the hotel opens.
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“I have a number of older customers who say I can’t find parking, I just can’t walk five blocks. Certainly, it’s impacting business,” said Ted Barnhill, owner of Barnhill’s Cafe in downtown Flagler Beach.
Barnhill pointed out that the current parking policy allows individuals to park for two days, then move their cars and park for another two days, effectively resulting in indefinite parking.
To combat this issue, Barnhill has submitted a proposal to the city’s planning board on behalf of a dozen other businesses. They are advocating for a limit on public parking to two hours between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. The business owners are even willing to cover the costs of new signage.
“We believe the problem will get much worse when the hotel opens if the city doesn’t act to create short-term parking,” Barnhill added.
City leaders are aware of the parking challenges and are taking steps to address them. A workshop is scheduled for April 10 to discuss potential solutions. The planning board has requested that the city commission consider this proposal as one possible answer. They are also exploring the option of implementing paid parking.
“One of the key components is that residents would not pay. It would be primarily oriented towards day trippers, visitors, or tourists,” said City Manager Dale Martin.
