The city looks at tightening rules for parking permits for people in a downtown apartment complex.
By JON WILSON, Times Staff Writer
Published November 16, 2005
ST. PETERSBURG - The notice appeared in their elevator about two weeks ago, say residents of Flori-de-Leon cooperative apartments.
As Flori-de-Leon residents interpreted the communication from the city, no longer would they be granted street parking permits unless they could show a Florida driver's license or Florida registration for their car.
There are about 77 units in the high-rise, a 1920s boom-era building the city has designated a local historic landmark. Perhaps 17 are occupied by permanent residents, with the rest used by seasonal visitors. Most are age 55 or older.
About 50 people are affected, said Beverly Alsen, acting chair of the Flori-de-Leon's house committee.
The apartments have long been a popular winter residence for visitors from New York, Pennsylvania and the Midwest.
"It kind of makes it difficult for snowbirds who come down for four months per year, but still have their licenses up north," said part-time resident Charles Gast, who is from New York.
"They are going to be blindsided when they get down here."
Many won't arrive until after the holidays, Gast said.
The Flori-de-Leon, 130 Fourth Ave. N, is situated in the BayWalk neighborhood, which runs from Second Street N to Beach Drive, between Fourth Avenue N and First Avenue N. In that section are many parking slots with a 90-minute limit.
Meanwhile, new development has taken away space once used for parking lots, residents say.
A residential permit allows people who live in the downtown area to exceed the 90-minute limit, according to city policy.
Those are the permits Flori-de-Leon residents fear may be eliminated for all but those with state license and registration.
Alsen said some residents already have called Virginia Littrell, the neighborhood's City Council representative, and Leslie Curran, the council member-elect.
But taking away parking for nonstate residents isn't necessarily a done deal, city officials say.
"None of them have been actually rescinded. We've been reviewing the policy to see who qualifies as a resident," said Evan Mory, city parking manager.
Gast hopes the winter visitors can keep their residential status.
Otherwise, some will face a few blocks' walk to their apartments from nonrestricted parking spaces.
"If you're kind of white-haired and have a slow walk and a bad hip, it's a little scary," Gast said.
Joe Kubicki, the transportation planning department director, said as downtown parking gets more precious, the city will look closer at the rules. But he said the Flori-de-Leon residents won't have their parking permits automatically rescinded.
"We're just asking for additional proof that they're staying here," Kubicki said.
