Assistant County Administrator Brian Malmberg presented two resolutions to the BOCC addressing parking violations at several county parks. As citizens have stated, with the rebranding of Hernando County as the “Adventure Coast”, the county needs additional parking to accommodate the many new visitors to the area parks and waterways.
In response to citizen complaints along County Road 550, near Bayport, where cars are routinely parked on the sides of the road, county employees did investigate and confirmed the problem. Malmberg proposed an amendment to Ordinance 98-28 to extend the “no parking” zone from 1,000 feet to 3,650 feet. The sheriff’s office already issues citations for illegally parked cars and ensure that parking fees are paid. Fines will be increased to $111.
The second proposal was to amend Ordinance 98-230 which addressed parking on Shoal Line Boulevard near Rogers Park, Pine Island, and the boat ramp at Hernando Beach. The amended no parking area on Shoal Line Boulevard will increase the distance a total of 2,700 feet beginning at Darlene Street and on Hushpuppy Lane.
Malmberg advised that these measures just put a Band-Aid on the parking problems, and Hernando Beach also will need extensive changes to make more parking available, especially since scalloping season has increased the number of visitors to Hernando Beach. Both amendments proposed were approved unanimously.