Stop the privatization of public beaches in #HollywoodFL. Get involved and vocal on May 5th and let the Hollywood City Commission know that you want Public Beach Access properly maintained, NOT weakened!
Hollywood residents, please oppose Wednesday's agenda item #24.
Ocean/beach access is for everyone, including sunrise and sunset.
Photo of Hollywood City Hall by me, March 2021
https://t.co/l6ht9n2Sxh?amp=1
Reminder: This Washington Post article is almost 4 years old.
The Washington Post
Free the beaches, before it’s too late
America's beaches are for everyone. Let's keep them that way.
By Andrew W. Kahrl
August 3, 2017 at 6:00 a.m. EDT
Andrew W. Kahrl is associate professor of history and African American studies at the University of Virginia and author of “The Land Was Ours: How Black Beaches Became White Wealth in the Coastal South.”https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/made-by-history/wp/2017/08/03/free-the-beaches-before-its-too-late/
So here's the information on Agenda Item #24 for Wednesday's Hollywood City Commission:
An Ordinance Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Amending Chapter 72 Of The Code Of Ordinances Entitled "Parking" To Revise The Parking Permit Program And Update Other Provisions; Providing For A Repealer Provision And A Severability Clause.
https://hollywoodfl.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4928396&GUID=6DB1CDE0-0ED5-4395-A27D-B00FCF8B1D4D&Options=&Search=
Below are the three most recent updates on the street parking situation on Hollywood Beach written by my friend and fellow Hollywood civic activist, Catherine "Cat" Uden:
The city is justifying the “Beach Residential Zones” as elderly residents on fixed incomes with disabled spouses having nowhere to park at night. If elderly residents need more parking, then the city should find a way to do that. But, that's not what this is.
The ordinance says nothing about elderly or disabled people. The ordinance allows ANY condo resident to apply for more spots. Not only can they apply for more spots for themselves, but I think the ordinance states they can ALSO apply for special guest permits so that their guests can have special beach parking.
That is basically privatizing the beach and stealing good street parking from the rest of the Hollywood residents.
In addition, it seems the city won’t have to give the public any warning or allow us to make public comments on zones being created.
They will just take away our sunrise/sunset parking, and that’s that.
This ordinance passed on first reading, and I’m hoping there’s a second reading where the public can make comments.
For those who enjoy Hollywood Beach- Please make a public comment by the deadline today 4/20. 🌟Agenda item 14 is Citizen Comments.
🌟The city plans to take away half of certain streets and turn them into zones for barrier island residents and their guests only from 6 pm until 8 am. No other Hollywood residents or members of the public would be able to park there.
It’s possible that they could even leave their cars in those zones all day if they purchase another permit. It’s also possible they will be given this special parking even if they already have 2 spots per condo unit.
The city could create these zones without any warning to the public and we would not get an opportunity or weigh in.
The privileged who live at the beach could apply for up to 4 permits and 2 for their guests. Residents like me who have paid for a $160 annual sticker would be shut out of these zones.
Please oppose the “Beach Residential Only” parking zones.
The final vote is May 5th.
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Save our sunrise and sunset parking. Ask the @cityofhollywoodfl to oppose “Beach resident only” parking zones - agenda item 24. If this ordinance passes, even Hollywood residents with an annual resident sticker will be excluded from these zones for 14 plus hours every single day. (6 pm until 8 am).
Beach residents who are already provided spots by their building could also apply for these zones and might get multiple permits and also guest permits. 👎🏾 Save our public street parking.
May 5th city meeting.
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REMINDER: For your comment to be read aloud at the Wednesday meeting it must be received BEFORE 6 p.m. on Tuesday the 4th.
Submit a Public Comment:
- Any member of the public wishing to comment publicly on any matter, including specific agenda items and/or Citizens Comments may do so via the City’s website at the links below or via telephone.
- Comments are limited to 400 words and/or 3 minute spoken maximum.
- Staff will read the comments into the record during the meeting. All comments received during the submission period will become part of the public record.
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For those of you who are new to this blog, I first wrote about Catherine "Cat" Uden in early 2019
The last time I mentioned Cat here on the blog, in June of last year, came in conjunction with another matter, namely...
Hollywood residents deserve better than this completely inadequate effort at public engagement on big spending issues, via Hollywood General Obligation Bond Advisory Committee
I received roughly 3,000 views from concerned residents and stakeholders, receiving quite a few comments about how spot-on my comments were, and all wondering when the city was going to loosen things at Hollywood City Hall that prevents more of the public from actively participating, including opening up public Civic Association meetings again.
Just something to consider...
