WSAV EXCLUSIVE: Hilton Head Mayor talks potential changes to beach parking
Two months ago, the island instituted new fees for visitors to park at the beach and not everyone in the area is happy about having to pay up.
But could changes be coming?
Town Council previously approved parking fees for all beach parking lots except for Coligny Beach.
Hilton Head Island residents can get two passes and park for free, but visitors and tourists have to pay to park at the beach lots.
Many of the people who live and work in areas like Bluffton have complained about the cost and want a pass of their own.
Mayor Alan Perry said he is listening to everyone's issues with the new fees and wants discussion to start.
'We've got to look out for our residents, and we've got to look out for our businesses as well,' said Hilton Head Island Mayor Alan Perry. 'There are a lot of people that come over here to work every day from Bluffton and other areas throughout your four counties. And is it really fair that we don't have some alternative parking aspect?'
One of the possible solutions an available year-long beach parking pass for visitors.
'Technology is in place to be able to monitor those people coming in from off island. If they were if we were to do an annual beach parking pass,' said Perry. 'So, all the technology is there, but we're just trying to make it make it reasonable. And I've heard a lot about the $20 on Saturday. Sunday is a big problem if you're going for one hour. Well, maybe that becomes the topic of conversation. I don't know yet. But it's going to be a council and we're going to we're going to have it and we're going to figure it out.'
Perry said while he wants Council to talk about the policies he is not advocating for 'free passes' to parks for anyone off-island.
'Whatever we do, it's not going to be free,' said Perry. 'The island residents will stay free. Islanders Beach Park will stay for Islanders residents. And that needs to be really understood that we're not trying to make it free for everybody to come in and let's load up everything and, but we just want to be good stewards to our neighbors, to our businesses and to our residents.'
Perry said he is not advocating for changes, just for discussions to starts.
He would like town committees to look at the issue. Then potentially town council to get involved and possibly even put the question to voters.
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