Parking on streets near the Hotel Zamora in St. Pete Beach is likely going to get a lot more difficult next month for nonresidents.
The City Commission is scheduled to take a final vote on Sept. 10, on a proposed ordinance that would require a residential "D" parking permit to park on the streets near the popular hotel for 24-hours a day.
Currently the "D" parking permit is only in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Earlier this month, the proposed ordinance passed unanimously during the first reading and it's expected to pass a second reading.
The city received complaints from some residents that hotel guests were parking their cars on the neighborhood streets overnight, according to Dan O'Connor, administrative services supervisor for the city.
Hotel Zamora general manager, Tom Robertson, said his valet attendants never park cars on the streets but said some guests are likely doing it.
"Every once in a while you'll have guests who are hesitant to utilize valet. So, we do have some guests that probably park themselves," he said. "I think that we can work with the local community and be good neighbors."
Robertson said some employees were parking their cars on the streets after 5 p.m. during busy weekends but they're now using the hotel valet lot.
"Heard about the complaints," he said. "Really what I think hurt us was 4th of July weekend, where we had a lot of demand on the beach."
The streets affected are 36th Avenue between Gulf Boulevard and East Maritana Drive, Casablanca Avenue between 37th Avenue and the Pinellas Bayway and East Maritana Drive between 37th Avenue and the Pinellas Bayway.