- October 19, 2022
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At the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce's concert held Feb. 4 at the Town Center Green, the event had a sold out crowd of about 324 people.
Although chamber ambassador and owner of Design2000 Irina LaRose said parking was not a large issue because of the events limited number of tickets and VIP parking available for attendees, it still came up as a subject of conversation.
"There was some frustration from people having to park at Publix and walk over," she said.
Rose said once construction around the Town Center clears up, some of the parking issues may be alleviated, but while everyone was presumably able to find a spot, close parking is limited at the Town Center.
"We definitely could use some more parking no matter how you slice it," LaRose said.
At their Feb. 6 regular meeting, Longboat town commissioners agreed.
“One of the things people are going to complain about when they come to an event is parking,” Commissioner Mike Haycock said.
The agenda item that sparked the conversation discussed allowable uses for the Town Center development as construction moves forward.
The Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved the site development plans for the new town facility, with the recommendation that commissioners look into ways to increase parking on-site.
The final site development plan includes 81 parking spaces, some of which are already developed. That does not include spaces that would follow the construction of a library or community center on the property, for the development would have to come back to the Planning and Zoning Board and commissioners for approval.
However, a study by consultant Kimley Horn and Associates estimated that 105 spaces are needed for a small event at Town Center Green; 480 spaces would be needed for a medium event; and 1,000 spaces would be needed for a large event that has up to 2,500 people on the great lawn, such as the Fourth of July Freedom Fest.
“Even with the limited events we have had so far, everybody is trying to figure out how to squeeze in,” Commissioner Sherry Dominick said. “Parking is difficult with even what we have at this point, so I think we need to take the bull by the horns. This notion of ‘we’ll figure it out’…when someone applies for an event is simply kicking the can. ... I don’t think that that is going to be helpful to us.”
That leaves the town looking for other ways to include more parking from surrounding businesses, churches and organizations. Commissioners said the town might be able to enter agreements with these entities for use of their parking lots when needed for large events. If the town is successful in forming such agreements, it could increase parking capacity for events by up to 681 spaces if events take place in the evening.
A special event transportation management plan for the Town Center Green was proposed with potential items including:
The management plan also recommended consideration of signage, police control at intersections and ensuring the public is notified of parking options. The plan would be the responsibility of the event applicant to complete before coming forward for an event permit.
Commissioners and town staff discussed whether it would be best to move forward with parking plans for the 81 spaces or to plan ahead for large events and the community center by adding additional spaces to the current development plan.
The town’s planned unit development rules require parking spaces to have a certain setback from the road. This limits the number of spaces that can be added to the existing parking lot and the development as construction progresses.
Street parking along Bay Isles Road is a possibility, but only on one side of the street. It would also not count toward required parking spaces for future events or developments.
"There will likely be some growing pains," Town Manager Howard Tipton said of tackling the issue. "There are going to be events that are too big for this spot."
Commissioners unanimously approved the proposed site development plan, which will move forward for a second reading.
The Town Center Green development is in phase two. Construction continues on the privately funded stage.
Phase three, which includes the development of a community center, has not been planned yet as design of the center still needs to be completed and agreed upon.
The town and Sarasota County commissioners have come to an agreement on what is expected of the relationship between the pair when moving forward with laying out programming for the center.
