Parking garage bill in high gear

A state bill to build a parking garage despite a city ordinance prohibition has passed one committee with a unanimous vote.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

TALLAHASSEE – A bill in the Florida House of Representatives to circumvent Holmes Beach ordinances and build a three-story, 1,500-plus space parking garage has passed its first roadblock on the way to becoming a reality. HB 947, proposed by Manatee County Rep. Will Robinson Jr., passed the Federal Affairs and Special Districts subcommittee with a unanimous vote on March 15 despite Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth, City Attorney Erica Augello and other city staff members making a trip to the Florida Capitol to speak in person during the meeting. After the subcommittee meeting, Titsworth said she was disappointed but not surprised at the outcome.

“We knew ahead of time that they had the vote,” Titsworth said. “We still went so we could at least and on record state our position. The staff did great. This is Florida government at its finest, unfortunately, and an exercise on what to expect when a city takes a stance on quality of life

SEE PARKING BILL, PAGE 24