"Ninety-One Eighty Sixed" Continued; Do Not Breath Easy

They did not plan on it ending like this.

The City Commission had been meeting since the November election trying to find a solution. There was agreement that the existing parking regulations contained in Chapter 90 needed fixing. Even the developers and their posse agreed it was necessary and committed, kind of, to adapting their plans to meet the new specifications. But after stacked parking safety committees failed and a parking guru flew in to confirm the safety concerns, attentions were diverted by ex-cons and recalls and initiatives. Throughout it all Chairman Quam quietly kept discussions moving with regularly scheduled meetings and workshops. Based on the continuing discussions, architect Gene Aubry submitted a series of evolving Pine Avenue corridor parking plans that, being developer - meaning PAR – friendly, further divided sentiments and deadlocked progress toward a solution. Follow us by clicking the "Please Read More" link below.


Then Chairman Quam, in an apparently well intentioned effort to break the log jam and get a plan on the books, championed the genesis of a new ordinance, dubbed Chapter 91, seemingly out of nowhere. Written by City Planner Alan Garrett and incorporating the Aubry concept of utilizing public rights of way to relieve developers of on-site parking requirements, it was a radical departure from the on-site parking concept contained in Chapter 90. It was a developer’s dream plan.

As a result of the Chapter 91 surprise, the Citizens Parking Initiative Committee was formed, its petition was drafted and 250 signatures were collected in a few short weeks. The initiative primarily sought to adapt Chapter 90 to add language banning the use of public rights of way to satisfy development requirements putting it in direct conflict with Chapter 91. The petition’s signatures were certified by the election supervisor last week and the committee awaited the city clerk’s determination of sufficiency that would require the City Commission to put it to a vote in the coming weeks. As of Tuesday, Chairman Quam had agreed to place it on Thursday agenda should City Attorney Jim Dye give the city clerk a thumbs up.

It is no stretch to say that PAR wanted Chapter 91 badly. The proposed ordinance was rocketing toward a final version that could be presented to the Commission for a first reading, a step or two away from making it law.

So, the showdown was set for last night’s commission meeting. Chapter 91 v. the Citizen’s Initiative Petition. Unbridled development v. Sensible growth. New Florida v. Old Florida.

Then, late Wednesday, providing additional fodder for conspiracy theorists, City Attorney Jim Dye conveniently killed the initiative petition with an unsupportable and bizarre interpretation of the City Charter. But by then it was too late and any legal action to challenge his determination would take many months and many dollars.

So people showed up Thursday night prepared to listen to a discussion of Chapter 91. All the commissioners were present and it was standing room only, spilling into the hallway. Michael Coleman had his ever-present video camera trained eerily on Commissioner Stoltzfus. Commissioner’s Mattick and Webb would, of course, fly their PAR flags proudly and Commissioners Woodland and Stoltzfus were anticipated to maintain their long held positions that a beefed up Chapter 90, on-site parking, was the only solution for Pine Avenue. Since Chapter 91 was Chairman Quam’s project there was little doubt it was headed to approval in some form, and soon.

And then John Quam gaveled the crowd quiet and proceeded to tell them he was withdrawing his support for Chapter 91. Like that, it was over. By the end of the night, Chapter 90 was resuscitated, amended and placed in the hands of Alan Garrett for additional polishing. Elements of the Citizen’s Initiative Petition are destined to be incorporated and a first reading is just weeks away. Ten months of debate, over in minutes.

It was beautiful.

But, no rest for the weary. Now is no time to nap. In fact, the next ten days present challenges like no similar time period in this City’s recent memory.

The recall election on September 7th can undo everything done last night. In response to Chairman Quam’s change of heart, recall candidate Gene Aubry stood and gave a quietly angry discourse on why Chapter 91, his plan, is the only answer for Anna Maria and what a huge mistake the commission was about to make. He does not even attempt to hide his passion for a Pine Avenue with 262 parking spaces and for that he should be given credit. At least you know what you’re getting if he is elected. A vote for him is a vote for a Pine Avenue you may not recognize in five years.

That is why you must vote on or before September 7th. If you need an absentee ballot order it HERE today. It may not be too late. If you need a ride to the polls, call a friend. Vote for the Anna Maria you know and love.

Yes, it is that important.

Stay informed.

Bill Yanger