Stricter enforcement to begin Nov. 8

MILT THOMAS

In a rare 2-2 vote, Vero Beach City Council has let stand the decision a year ago allowing Mulligan’s Beach House restaurant at Sexton Plaza to add 28 outdoor seats without additional parking spaces. Since its initial approval, the move has sparked complaints from other beachside businesses. A three-vote majority is necessary to overturn the previous ruling but Councilwoman Pilar Turner left the meeting before the vote was taken. Council members Kramer and Graves supported allowing the additional parking decision to stand. Winger and Fletcher opposed.

The city also intends to enforce the two-hour parking limit on Saturdays in the beach commercial district beginning on November 8. The two-hour limit is already in force on weekdays, but has been added for Saturdays at the request of the Oceanside Business Association.

According to Vero Beach City Manager, Jim O’Connor, “Although this solves the immediate problem, the long term problem stills exists – availability of parking in general on the beachside. We are meeting with the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, Oceanside Business Association and some specific businesses to come up with ideas. One suggestion has been to arrange parking at the Riverside area and have the Senior Resource Association provide shuttle service, which we are looking into.”