Indian Rocks Beach fills advisory boards and directs staff to study parking needs east of Gulf Boulevard

The City Commission moved through a lengthy set of appointments to fill vacancies on the Board of Adjustments, Planning & Zoning, the Finance & Budget Review Committee and the new Neighborhood Advisory Board, confirming roughly 35 applicants for member and alternate seats.

Lauren (staff) outlined vacancies and applicants; commissioners nominated and voted by motion and roll call on individual seats. Reappointments included Frederick (Rick) McCall to Planning & Zoning. The commission stressed qualifications (engineering, planning, finance) for seats with technical requirements and directed staff to contact applicants not chosen.

After the appointments, commissioners discussed parking and traffic issues. Staff recommended a holistic parking study for areas east of Gulf Boulevard to be tied into the master‑plan and land development regulation update. Ryan suggested phasing the work so an initial study could start within the current fiscal year with larger scope budgeted in the next. Commissioners supported involving residents, businesses and the Neighborhood Advisory Board in workshops to develop recommendations.

Staff noted county responsibilities for Gulf Boulevard and suggested coordination with Pinellas County on traffic data and possible funding assistance. No final contract or firm selection was made; staff was asked to return with an RFQ scope and budget for a phased approach.