Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/309372
Siesta Seen "OK, OK. I was just bringing it up," the woman conceded. "I hear your frustration, believe me," Shay told the woman, "and we completely under- stand it." The reason parking restrictions were approved for Avenida de Mayo and North Shell Road was to enhance safety for residents, he said. (Illegal parking on both roads was called an impediment to emergency vehicle traffic.) Shay agreed with Patterson that "it would never pass muster" with businesses on the island to designate certain spaces for resi- dents, especially with no certainty residents would use those spaces regularly. Therefore, residents were left with the options during season of riding bicycles, walking to shops and restaurants or heading off the island. Then Lourdes Ramirez, president of the Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations, reminded the audience mem- bers that the island has free transportation services such as Sun Ride Pedicab. Shay thanked Ramirez for that comment. Patterson told the woman, "I don't mean to be unsympathetic to your point." Residents of downtown Sarasota face the same type of sit- uation during season, Patterson added. "The The new parking area at Siesta Public Beach is easily spotted by passersby, thanks to the palm trees added to the landscaping. Photo by Rachel Hackney Sarasota News Leader May 9, 2014 Page 78