Siesta Key stakeholders explore parking options

Business owners throughout Siesta Key Village are in need of a parking solution. 

At a meeting Tuesday, Siesta Key Village Assocation Vice President Mark Smith announced that he is looking into opportunities to increase parking throughout the Village. The plan is to fill in grassy areas on which visitors are already parking with seashells, to make them official parking spaces. But, before any progress can be made, the Sarasota County Commission must approve the plans. Meeting with the commission has been delayed due to its break until mid-August. 

“We have right of way opportunities that could bring another 80 to 95 parking spaces into the fold,” Smith said.

In February, a parking committee consisting of county staff, Commissioner Alan Maio and various Village stakeholders formed to talk about parking solutions, including a survey the county was undertaking. A 2008 parking study throughout the Village counted more than 1,000 parking spots total, with 60 spots in the municipal lot.

Public Works Transportation and Real Estate Special District Coordinator Lisa Cece believes that some of the parking woes can be solved by business owners. 

“Right now the county has no plans to add parking in the Siesta Key Village,” Cece said. “There are some things that the business owners can work out among themselves.”

One option for business owners could be additional valet opportunities. Smith is meeting with valet operators to determine how they operate and what insurance coverage they offer for some of the commercial property owners in the Village.

“I think it’s very promising, and it should help alleviate our parking challenges," Smith said.