In an unprecedented attempt to curb the city's growing parking shortage, St. Petersburg officials have proposed a sweeping One-Child Policy for local couples, arguing that limiting future population growth is the only viable solution to preserving downtown parking.
"Traditional urban planning methods simply can’t keep up,” said City Parking Czar Peter Demens-Jordan, speaking at a sparsely attended press conference (parking was unavailable). “We’ve added bike lanes, we’ve installed smart meters, but honestly, we’re out of spaces. We need to address the real cause: more people."
Under the proposed ordinance, couples residing within city limits would be permitted to have one child per lifetime parking permit. Additional children would require the surrender of a designated parking spot or participation in the city’s controversial 'parallel parking in the SunRunner lanes' pilot program.
The ordinance is being fast-tracked for consideration after city planners released a dire projection showing that by 2035, St. Pete will have one parking space per 12 residents, assuming the current pace of condo development and café expansion continues.
“Our choices are simple,” Demens-Jordan explained. “Limit parking, limit people, or build a downtown garage the size of Tropicana Field. And we all know the Trop lot will probably be luxury condos by then.”
The proposal has sparked fierce debate among residents. Local activist group Parents for Parallel Parking (PPP) has vowed to fight the measure, arguing that city officials should first explore more sustainable options like hovercars, inflatable parking decks, or “just converting Tampa into a parking lot.”
However, the city's Urban Family Planning Division, chaired by Katherine Tippetts-Franklin, insists the policy is the most balanced approach. “We’re not banning families. We’re just asking residents to choose: more kids or a reserved spot within three blocks of your home. Seems fair.”
City officials also floated an exemption pathway for families who exclusively use golf carts and those willing to embrace seagull-based ride-sharing, a program still in conceptual testing.
The proposed ordinance would include strict enforcement measures, including randomized stroller inspections and a dedicated "baby meter maid" unit.
Opposition council member Johnnie Williams-Whitted pushed back, proposing instead that the city simply remove all sidewalks to create additional diagonal parking. “We can always walk in the streets like our ancestors did,” he said.
Meanwhile, real estate developers enthusiastically endorsed the one-child plan, noting it “frees up valuable urban square footage that could be better used for luxury dog spas and rooftop pickleball courts.”
A public hearing is scheduled for next month, though many residents are unsure if they’ll attend. “Honestly, I’ll probably miss it,” said longtime resident Dave Simmons. “It’s impossible to find parking near City Hall.”
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