HOLMES BEACH – The City of Holmes Beach has some new parking rules that come with fines if violated.
“It’s not our intent to write tickets, but we’re going to write tickets if you are parked illegally,” said City of Holmes Beach Police Chief, William Tokajer.
For any vehicle parked in a right-of way, all tires are required to be located fully within the right-of way and no tire or part of the vehicle may be in the roadway in the City of Holmes Beach.
“If all four tires are off the road that means that as a bicyclist or a pedestrian is walking along the roadway, they don’t have to go out into traffic in order to go around a car that’s parked in the roadway, making it unsafe for them,” said Chief Tokajer.
There will be exceptions for some vehicles having all 4 tires off the road
“We give grace for the vehicles that are doing deliveries, for the landscapers, for the construction people, allowing them to park on the road if need be, as long as they put a cone there and are parked safely.”
One visitor says, he does not agree with the new rule and fines that come with it.
“It’s a very friendly community, so I don’t see why driving carefully as long as people are parked appropriately even if there are a couple tires on the side of the road, I think that’s okay I don’t see a huge issue with it and it would be nice if they were a little more lax about that,” said Visitor, Devin Brown.
For the workers of Perales Lawn Service who have been working landscape in the City of Holmes Beach for over 20 years, the new rule helps keep everyone safe.
“It’s very important for our staff to have cones out, their hazards on if needed, so other people know they are parked there, that’s how accidents happen,” said Jose Perales of Perales Lawn Service.
Parking violation fines range from $75.00 to $250.00.
“There has to be a balance for our residential neighborhoods, our beachgoers, and the residents to have peace of mind in their own residential area,” said Chief Tokajer.
On a normal weekend, the City of Holmes Beach has more than 58,000 cars that visit the island.
