I stuck my neck out a year ago to force a more equitable parking system and I thought we found one. I never wanted to open this discussion again. Ever. And now this. (barf emoji)
Questions/Answers….
Why were you so quiet about this? … 1) Because we are/were in touchy negotiations and potential legal action with the Corps of Engineers (Corps.) Outraged emails from citizens and/or non-citizens would not be helpful. I believe in keeping the public informed (and my record supports that) but sometimes discretion is necessary. 2) Any delays would have likely resulted in us losing the contract for this year. (It must be done in winter to avoid environmental factors.) 3) We were trying to quietly get to Nov 1 (when parking is free) to start the difficult conversation.
Full disclosure – I’m regretting it.
Is this because we stopped selling OTB passes? … Probably, but keep in mind that we haven’t sold OTB passes since 2021. And we had a re-nourishment project in 2022! And when we did sell OTB passes they were more expensive than local passes. ($40 vs $175 in 2021.) That’s why we didn’t see this coming. What changed? I want to know.
Will this be the policy going forward? … I don’t know. First, I hope we can convince the Corps to change their interpretation of the rules. If not, I’ll advocate for keeping our premium lots open to our citizens (Sandpiper, Hamlet, Alabama.) I’ll advocate for making golf cart spots (Spartanburg) straight up free. Naturally I’ll look to bike/ped improvements too. I’m open to suggestions.
Will we consider selling OTB passes again? … I’m open to it (I always have been.) But keep in mind they’ll have to be the same price we pay. I hate the thought of our citizens paying hourly to park. I hate it!
How did the Corps come up with this 767 number? … I have no idea. It’s a complicated formula that some federal employees dreamed up.
Should we have just told the Corps to pound sand and go without renourishment? … Tempting as that was, no. I was just in Rodanthe and that’s scarier than paying for parking! And as for the argument that erosion only hurts the fat cats with oceanfront property… nope. No matter where you live, you want the beach to be strong. Perhaps we can look into teaming up with other beach towns to buy our own dredge boat (it’s possible.) Maybe we can re-evaluate how ROT funds are spent. But let’s get this one done first.
Town of CB Press Release (link)
FAQs (from the Town of CB website)
The Town of Carolina Beach Town Council, in a Special Meeting, adopted changes to areas where residential parking passes are accepted. This change occurred to meet requirements for our Federally Authorized Coastal Storm Risk Management project and to prevent further delay or loss of the upcoming beach nourishment. Here are answers to some questions about the changes we have recently received:
Are these changes permanent? We hope not. The Town will continue to review the federal requirements for beach nourishment and work with the USACOE for additional options. The Town Council is always looking to expand access to the beach and town businesses for citizens and visitors alike.
Will the Town still sell parking passes to Kure Beach residents? There have been no changes to this parking policy.
Will the Town still sell employee parking passes? There have been no changes to this parking policy.
Where can employees park with a parking pass? Anywhere resident parking passes are allowed
Do these new restrictions affect LSV/golf carts? Yes, LSV/golf carts are considered cars.
What happens to the golf cart spaces on street ends, for example Spartanburg Avenue? Golf carts will be required to pay for parking at street ends.
How does this affect the north end resident parking during flooding? The Town will not enforce parking during Town recognized flooding events on the North End.
Will passes still be $40 in 2025? Town Council reviews the rates each year in December.
Will I get a refund for the remainder of this year? Your pass is still valid; no refunds will be issued.
Why are passes not allowed in some ocean front lots? CLICK HERE for details.
Is there a map showing where resident passes are allowed? Yes – CLICK HERE for to view.
When did this change occur? CLICK HERE to view a timeline of discussions with the USACE.
If anyone has recently received a parking ticket in a lot recently designated to not accept residential passes and where new signage has not been installed, please contact the Town Manager’s office.
Timeline (from the Town of CB website)
August 1 – Meeting with USACE, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach to discuss parking and the Public Partnership Agreement (PPA) and the Beach Renourishment Evaluation Report (BRER).
August 20 – USACE issues request Carolina Beach and Kure Beach validate, no later than September 15, 2024, that all non-Federal responsibilities are met.
August 22 – Kure Beach letter sent.
September 10 – Council restricts resident parking passes in certain lots to ensure compliance with the PPA and BRER.
September 12 – Town certifies that it meets all non-Federal responsibilities, including providing the required 767 parking spaces on an equal basis and availability to all.
September 19 – USACE issues subsequent letter to Kure Beach and Town to provide specific detail about the parking requirements under the PPA and BRER no later than October 3.
September 20 – Kure Beach responds and justifies parking passes for residents.
September 28 – USACE issues additional guidance on the parking requirements which lessens the Town’s ability to meet the parking requirements under the PPA and BRER by including on street parking.
September 30 – Council properly notices special meeting to take action in response to the September 28th guidance to make certain the Fall 2024 nourishment event takes place.
September 30 – USACE issues letter to Kure Beach suspending the fall nourishment project for failure to meet the requirements of the BRER and PPA.
October 2 – Council, in response to USACE, eliminates parking passes in ocean front lots to secure fall nourishment event.
October 8 – USACE notifies the Town it meets the requirements of the PPA and BRER and the nourishment project will now be placed out to bid.