The Tarpon Springs City Commission has approved new rules banning large vehicles and boat trailers from parking on residential streets near the Craig Park Boat Ramp, over the objections of boaters who say the city should first provide alternative parking.

The revised ordinance, passed on second reading March 10, prohibits any vehicle or attached trailer wider than eight feet from parking in residentially zoned areas. Detached trailers of any length are banned from public streets and municipal parking areas in those zones. Exceptions exist for loading, unloading, nearby work, and emergency situations of up to six hours.

City officials framed the measure as a public safety issue. Vice Mayor Michael Eisner noted that most boats are 8 feet, 6 inches wide, trailers add roughly another foot and a half, and that fire trucks need to be able to navigate the narrow streets in the “fruit section” — a neighborhood whose streets are named after fruits — to reach emergencies.

Several community members pushed back. Former Commissioner Susan Kitka argued that Tarpon Springs is a boating and waterfront community and urged the city to identify alternative parking options before restricting residents. She floated possibilities including wider streets, the city’s old shuffleboard courts, and a lot the city purchased for $800,000. Former City Planner Olga Sowchuk questioned whether the city was over-legislating a problem that neighbors on her street had not complained about.

Commissioner Panagiotis Koulias acknowledged the need for balance and said he had already directed the consultant on the city’s $250,000 recreation master plan to identify a site for a third boat ramp. He suggested the city look at acquiring the softball area at Howard Park for trailer parking. Eisner said he was open to finding an alternative location, potentially with a shuttle service.

Mayor John Koulianos said the city intends to explore parking alternatives as part of the upcoming budget process.

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