ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – The Atlantic Beach City Commission took public comments Thursday night on a hot button issue -- the reclaiming of a city right-of-way in neighborhoods, to allow for more parking along Beach Avenue.
Residents are worried that the city’s decision will allow their community to turn into a more jam-packed Jacksonville Beach environment, when it comes to parking.
“There is already a multitude of wrong-way drivers, particularly on the weekends,” said Lee Elmore, a resident. “More parking will only increase this hazard as tourists and townies circle about looking for parking spaces.”
“What we need is parking management, a parking policy with consistent signage -- street markings on the parking that already exists throughout all the numbered streets close to the oceanfront,” one person said.
Among the comments came gratitude for the commission -- looking out for the residents.
Others shared concerns about what a influx of drivers could mean for their neighborhoods -- to the trash left behind by more beachgoers coming in from other areas.
No votes were taken during the Thursday meeting.