INDIAN ROCKS BEACH — The City Commission voted 5-0 on Jan. 13 to approve a paid parking pilot program, moving forward despite weeks of public opposition to a plan that would charge nonresidents $4.50 per hour at 182 beach access spots.
Five weeks separated the final Indian Rocks Beach City Commission meeting of 2025 and the first one of the new year, giving residents and visitors plenty of time to vent their frustrations over the board’s plan to implement paid parking on the island.
Social and traditional media was flooded with criticism of the decision to shed the city’s distinction as the only barrier island community in Pinellas County that doesn’t charge for public beach parking. The six-month test program would require nonresidents to pay via an app to park at the city’s beach access spots. Residents would still park free anywhere in the city using a window decal…