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Treasure Island debates future of Sunset Beach parking lots

 
Published April 5, 2018

TREASURE ISLAND

Two small but popular city-owned parking lots along W Gulf Boulevard on Sunset Beach will either have a greatly improved drainage system or their sandy ambiance will be forever ruined — depending on your viewpoint — at the conclusion of the city's stormwater improvement project.

Newly elected Mayor Larry Lunn and two commissioners, Heidi Horak and Tyler Payne, were sworn into office March 20 and immediately faced their first tough issue. A debate pitted some longtime Sunset Beach residents who love the look of their sandy beach lot against staff's attempt to improve drainage.

"This is a drastic change from sand to complete coverage by concrete. I think there could be some minor changes to the designs to allay concerns of residents," Horak said.

Improvements and reconstruction to the 80-space Tern parking area at 8000 W Gulf Blvd., and 50-space Ring-Billed Gull Lot at 8100 W Gulf Blvd., which includes the installation of vegetative buffers and of pervious pavers, are part of the city's plans to complete the final phase of its Sunset Beach Water Quality Improvement plan.

A 30-year Sunset Beach resident, Nancy Waters, said the concrete is commercial looking and does not fit with the environmental integrity of a sandy beach environment.

On the other hand, Richard Harris, a 32-year resident, said both lots "are in horrendous conditions … filthy, covered in cigarette butts. … The design I have seen is a vast improvement."

Commissioners voted 4-1 to award the contract for Sunset Beach Watershed Master Plan Improvements to Kamminga & Roodvoets, which included the two parking areas. Horak voted against it