New parking decal will give Palm Beach residents two-hour parking in metered spots
Starting Monday, residents will be able to purchase a decal that will give them two-hour parking at any metered spot in town.
Town Council President Margaret Zeidman made the announcement Tuesday — to rousing applause — during the Palm Beach Civic Association’s 80th Anniversary Welcome Back Forum at the Mandel Recreation Center.
Zeidman, who was giving an update on the implementation of the town’s comprehensive parking plan, said residents can receive up to two parking decals after submitting an application and a $50 fee. Applications can be completed through the town's website, or in person at the Town Hall lobby, according to town officials. Decals expire in December 2024.
Zeidman also mentioned efforts to remove all parking kiosks now that the town has moved to the ParkMobile app as the only option to pay for metered spots.
More: Palm Beach ends use of parking kiosks to pay for metered spaces
The council president acknowledged criticism of the parking plan, which was discussed during the town council’s Oct. 10 meeting. One issue was the lack of free parking options for nonresident private employees, whose only option in the current plan is $5-an-hour metered parking.
“We realize a lot of people have a lot of different opinions about this ... charging is a hot topic,” Zeidman said. “It's new and we’ll be continuing to look at this over the next couple months.”
Discussing the renewal of the town’s water contract, Zeidman said that Palm Beach has until 2027 to choose a new provider or continue its partnership with West Palm Beach. A Water Authority Committee to oversee the project is currently in the works, according to the council president.
“We’re two years into this process, there’s a lot we need to look at,” she said.
More: Palm Beach undergrounding project continues to make gains
In her wide-ranging address, Zeidman noted progress in the town's project to bury utility lines and reduce the town’s tax rate from $2.69 per $1,000 of taxable value to $2.61 per $1,000 of taxable value. The budget for the fiscal year is $104.8 million.
Acknowledging some residents' fears of Palm Beach losing its small-town character, she said the new comprehensive plan, currently under Planning and Zoning Commission review, and the zoning code review were essential to the town's future.
More: Palm Beach unveils draft of 2024 Comprehensive Plan
Sean S. Suder, ZoneCo founder and the lead consultant assisting the town in its historic zone code review, delivered the forum's keynote address, and he underscored the importance of zone code reform.
“Zoning is a narrow set of policies that can implement a broader vision for the community,” he said. “Policy decisions that will shape a community forever.”
To create a sustainable solution, steps must be taken to understand the “root” of the problem instead of focusing solely on solutions, he said.
Utilizing the North End community as a sample, Suder detailed his group’s research on the area’s historical real estate trends, and how a combination of variables including the subdividing of estates during the mid-20th century created the eclectic range of road and lot sizes seen today.
Suder briefly highlighted the current proposed solution, crafting zoning policy catering to street width and the dimensions and building practices of a street's immediate surrounding.
Also speaking at Tuesday's event were Palm Beach Civic Association chairman and CEO Michael Pucillo, and Chief Operating Officer Mary Robosson.
Diego Diaz Lasa is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at dlasa@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach introduces new parking decal for residents
