Expansion of resident parking plan tabled

St Augustine City Commissioners decided Monday night to table a proposal that would have affected three parking spaces along Water Street that are part of a controversial “Resident Parking” program managed by the City.

In November 2005, the City enacted a pilot program that commenced December 1st and allowed residents and their guests exclusive use of designated on-street parking between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., with the purchase of a permit.

The St Augustine Police department collected a $30 yearly fee from qualified residents, or $10 from qualified guests; whose permit was only valid for one week.

The initial restricted area encompassed 23 spaces along the west side of Avenida Menendez; between Bridge Street and St Francis Street; however, that area has grown — as has the controversy over the loss of on-street parking by other citizens. Only vehicles displaying a resident parking decal are allowed to use those spaces.

After heated debate to allow or deny the expansion of the program for the three additional spaces, commissioners decided to table the proposal and, instead, review the entire resident permit parking system.