Isle of Palms may add fee for street parking

ISLE OF PALMS -- Daytrippers may soon be paying a new fee for the privilege of parking on neighborhood streets near the best beaches.

On Wednesday night, the city Planning Commission unanimously recommended a $65 seasonal pass for those who wish to park on streets outside the commercial area from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March through September.

If approved by City Council, up to 1,000 of the passes would be issued starting in 2013. The commission vote was the latest development in the city's three-year effort to address complaints from residents who say beachgoers disrespect their property.

Some commissioners seemed to favor delaying a decision on the issue, but others pushed for resolution.

"I think this thing has been talked to death. Make the recommendation to City Council and get moving," said Commissioner Patrick Harrington.

The city has a parking lot in the commercial district that offers a seasonal pass for $45. Daily parking is available for $7 in the business area.

Those parking spaces are rarely full because beachgoers go to the neighborhoods instead, since those locations are free. Many of them park on the shoulder along the ocean side of Palm Boulevard.

Palm Boulevard resident Jim Owens, who attended the meeting, complained of instances of nudity and drunkenness among beachgoers who leave trash behind or enter his yard to use his water system to hose off. He said two boulevard neighbors sold their houses because of the problems.

"I lost two good neighbors. Now one of them is a rental property," Owens said. The rental has led to issues too, because tenants who let trash overflow in garbage cans led to rodents and raccoons, he said.

Longtime resident Bonnie Holden said in an interview that the city should not charge to park in the residential areas.

"In this day and age with this economy the way it is, my heavens, let some people have some enjoyment, have something that doesn't cost," she said.

Her husband Harry Holden predicted, "They're just going to keep coming. You can't stop someone from going to the beach."

The commission inched its way toward a decision on the issue in a series of votes that occurred over two hours.

Details such as enforcement remain to be worked out, but there was discussion of how revenue from the passes would generate funds for part-time staffers to enforce the new requirement.

There also was discussion of the logistics of selling the passes, which most likely would be a windshield sticker. A $5 day pass was mentioned, but the commission left that option open.

Sullivan's Island is studying the parking issue but has made no decisions. It hired a consultant to look at the feasibility of paid parking for town lots on Middle Street and Ion Avenue.

Folly Beach will have space for 400 fewer cars next summer because the county park there is closed due to storm damage. Folly has $1 hourly parking at 300 spaces scattered along the beach.

The county-owned pier there has 80 parking spaces for $7 per day. A commercial lot across from the pier has dozens of parking spaces.

Parking and beach access are key components of the state- approved beach management plan required of each community to be eligible for beach- renourishment financial aid.