ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. — Local leaders on Anna Maria Island and county officials are discussing the possibility of paid parking at county-owned beaches as they seek ways to address traffic and congestion, but some business owners worry the change could drive customers away.
Holmes Beach City Commissioner Dan Diggins said county and city leaders have been discussing paid parking as one possible solution to the island’s congestion issues. He said if Manatee County moves forward, the island’s three municipalities would need to take similar action for parking spaces in their rights of way.
“Because if they’re going to do it, then the three municipalities have to do it for the few hundred that they have in the right of way,” Diggins said. “Because otherwise everybody would be going for the free spot. So we all either have to do it together or don’t do it at all.”…