Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/198837
Sarasota News Leader October 25, 2013 Page 79 Avenida de Cortez to Avenida del Norte, let's keep in mind that where parking would be allowed on the north side of the street, those cars would be parked squarely on the asphalt roadway, which, as we all know, is no more than [21 feet] wide on that street." county's Traffic Advisory Council (TAC), which heard Merkle's original plea for help when it met in March. "Those aren't public hearings," Robinson added of the TAC sessions. Patterson told her fellow board members, "Most people take care of their lawns on Siesta Key … and they regard that [right of way] as part of their property and aren't going to take kindly to people being told, 'Don't park on the pavement.'" Only four TAC members were present for the March 11 TAC meeting, and the vote was 2-2 on Merkle's request at the time to ban parking on the south side of Avenida de Mayo. Additionally, Patterson pointed out, the TAC He added, "If allowed parking were limited to is an advisory board. The County Commission the south side of the street in the [right of way] can accept its recommendations, reject them up against the sidewalk, the asphalt roadway or modify them. "This is just a belated modification," she added of her Oct. 23 motion. would be kept clear in its entire length." On May 21, the County Commission split 3-2 on the issue, with Hines and Commissioner As far as he was concerned, Shay said in the Joe Barbetta in the minority. interview with the News Leader, the decision In advance of the commission meeting, the to continue to allow parking on the north side SKA had recommended the board approve of the road — in the street itself — is not a the implementation of parking permits for safe situation. residents on the south side of Avenida de Mayo, a parking prohibition on the north side Nonetheless, he said he was pleased the of the street and the erection of "Tow Away commissioners took more definitive action. Zone" signs. "They have come around in the last couple of months and I am appreciative of that. … The The commission vote included the stipulakey is going to be to keep an eye [on what tion that county transportation planning staff transpires with the new measures]. … Time work with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the county's EMS and Fire Department will tell." personnel on a recommendation to address AS FOR THE ADVISORY BOARD … residents' concerns about the parking, which Merkle explained in public comments had The only question Patterson had before the worsened in recent years. vote was from Vice Chairman Charles Hines, who wanted to be certain the board was not Merkle has lived on Avenida de Mayo for more circumventing a public process with her pro- than 25 years. posed action. "Sometimes those [local government] wheels Commissioner Christine Robinson told him turn slowly," Merkle told the News Leader. "You the matter did not need to go back to the just have to have a little bit of patience." %