APRIL FOOL: City to require Lido Beach passes

In an effort to ease traffic on Lido Key, the city has so far implemented paid parking along Benjamin Franklin Drive and extended the Bay Runner Trolley all the way to South Lido Beach. Now with vehicles crowding neighborhood streets all the way to Boulevard of the Presidents, city officials are considering another strategy — beach passes.

Although there will be no fee for the passes, they will limit the pass holders to four hours per day on weekends, six hours weekdays. Lido Key residents, vacation rental occupants, resort guests and Bay Runner passengers will be exempt.

“Vehicle parking is becoming a nuisance on Lido because there just isn’t the capacity to handle the demand,” said city beach parking czar Brian Wilson. “With the geodome planned for St. Armands, beach traffic in the area is only going to get worse.”

Beach passes will be issued on a per-vehicle basis. They must be reserved on the city’s website, QR codes downloaded and printed, and then adhered to a window on the passenger side of the vehicle. The QR codes will be scanned at all access points to Lido Key upon entry and exit. Although the passes will be free, a $50 fine will be assessed to those who overstay their allotted time.