TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. (WFLA) — In many areas of Treasure Island, residents and business owners are still recovering from last year’s back-to-back hurricanes. Some businesses have reopened, but others remain shuttered.

City officials are considering a change that would allow businesses still going through the rebuilding process to bring in some income as that process continues.

The resolution would allow business owners to apply for a permit to put tents, temporary bars, food trucks, or trailers on their property on a long-term basis.

The hope is the permit would help businesses get back on their feet and keep the local economy moving.

The existing special use permit is limited to nine days and can be renewed three times, for a total of 36 days.

The proposed resolution would allow the business to keep the tents, keep food trucks in operation for six months, and can be renewed for up to a year.

“What you basically have is one year and hopefully in that timeframe, they are going to be able to be back in business. The businesses are the backbone of our economy. We are tourism. We are a destination. Without our hotels, without our restaurants, without the bars and the retail and everything else, we wouldn’t be a beach community,” said Mayor John Doctor.

“We want to make sure that these folks can survive. Spring break is coming up. That is their busiest time of year, so we are hoping there is going to be a great spring break here and what we do want to know let people know is that we are open for business. Treasure Island is still paradise,” he continued.

The resolution will go before the city commission next Tuesday, February 18. and will need to go through two readings before final approval.

It is expected to pass. The hope is to do so before the spring break crowds arrive.