Almost 4,000 sign petition opposing paid parking

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Organizers opposing a plan to implement paid parking in historic downtown Fernandina Beach have collected almost 4,000 online petition signatures Tuesday morning, according to the host website.

 

The petition drive is spearheaded by local downtown business owner Marisol Triana, who spoke at the city commission meeting two weeks ago in opposition to the paid parking initiative.

 

"We need to urge the City Commission to reconsider this proposal and seek alternative solutions that would allow our downtown to flourish without introducing paid parking." Triana said on the Change website. "Possible alternatives include investing in better public transportation options to ease parking demand, establishing a more efficient parking system without fees, or developing partnerships with private parking lots to offer residents and visitors viable options."

On Monday, the city published a fact versus myth video regarding the paid parking plan on its Facebook page. Opponents immediately attacked the posting as the city supporting paid parking even before a scheduled June 24 town hall meeting is conducted. The plan requires city commission approval and could be decided by late July.
 
Marisol Triana
Marisol Triana
 
"This move would not only impact businesses but also diminish the unique feel of our town. The informal, welcoming nature of Fernandina Beach is one of its greatest assets, and imposing paid parking threatens to replace our neighborhood's warmth with the burdens of commercial bureaucracy," said Triana, who owns the Hola Cuban Cafe on 5th Street. "Once the small-town charm is gone, it's irreplaceable and will forever alter the fabric of our community."
 

The petition can be found on the Change page Stop Paid Parking in Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach. 

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  • PaulaM

    I live in a town that has this system…while it makes a lot of money for the municipality in fines it is a nightmare to use and for those who do not have smartphones it’s extremely unfair. The businesses lost a lot of money because people who could not use the machines stopped coming into town. It’s a double edged sword and very annoying but they’re all installing it all over the country..it’s a cash cow for them.

    Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Report this

  • BBillings

    Parking meters are YET ANOTHER tax on business owners and consumers without calling it a tax on business owners and consumers.

    We are being taxed into oblivion.

    Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Report this