Wrightsville Beach Aldermen vote to increase parking costs

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) —  The Wrightsville Beach board of aldermen unanimously voted in favor of changing some of the town’s parking regulations.

Those who live on the island are allowed 2 passes per household at $25 a piece. That costs goes up to $35 under the new ordinance.

Tim Owens, town manager, said those aren’t the only changes.

“There’s currently about 36 spaces that aren’t paid parking currently, that aren’t metered, and those will potentially go to paid parking. As well as around the town hall and park here. That will go to potentially 2 hour unpaid parking,” said Owens.

After that you would need to pay to leave your car there. Plus beach accesses with amenities like showers will now be metered from 9 a.m. through 7 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. That change will be effective starting on March 1.

Also there is a fine of $150 if you leave your car in a spot for longer than a week without moving it also.

“The parking program is meant to have spaces turn over so everyone can freely use them and what’s happening at times, people that live in homes will park in spaces for long, extended periods. That ordinance would basically only allow you to park there no more that 7 24 hour consecutive periods,” said Owens.

Karen Dunn, lives at Wrightsville Beach and she spoke in front of the board Thursday night. She brought up some concerns she has about where the money is going.

“These additional funds are gong into the beach re-nourishment is it going into the general fund, these are the questions I have, with regards to where are these funds specifically going,” said Dunn.

Town officials said paid parking is an important revenue source especially if a hurricane hits and there needs to be work done on the beaches.