Paid parking debate continues at Fernandina Beach workshop

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — The fight over paid parking in downtown Fernandina Beach continues as business owners and residents clash over a plan while city commissioners want to push forward without a public vote.

At a packed workshop Tuesday inside City Hall, voices rang out with concerns that the proposed paid parking system could drive away customers and employees. More than 1,700 people have signed a petition urging the city to hold a public vote on the issue.

“This town is grounded and it lives on with intimacy, and paid parking takes that intimacy away,” said Paul Lorie, a local resident.

Outside the meeting, dozens more waited their turn to speak, some gripping popcorn as they prepared to weigh in.

City commissioners outlined a revenue plan aimed to generate roughly $2 million ann