JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Parking restrictions could soon go into effect for semi-truck drivers at Jacksonville Beach.

The city council discussed an ordinance tonight that would put a four hour parking limitation on State Road A1A  south starting at 25th Avenue South and all the way to the county line.

The discussion about this ordinance started after several people who live along 3rd Street complained about semi-trucks being a nuisance in the area.

Residents told council members that these trucks not only take up parking, but also have become a noise disturbance at night when they leave their generators running.

The City of Jacksonville Beach is now trying to address the issue.

“The residents down there feel like there’s a hazard, because they can’t see as they’re pulling out onto the road and some of those trucks are there overnight, and parked for a few days and really as a parking space,” Jacksonville Beach Mayor Chris Hoffman said.

It’s an ongoing parking issue that’s been brought to Hoffman’s attention. Semi trucks taking up parking space on 3rd Street.

A new ordinance may soon take effect to address the issue, limiting parking on State Road A1A — between 25th Avenue South and the St. Johns County Line — to a maximum of four hours.

For ten years, Brandon Angel has lived in Jax Beach and for seven of those years, he’s been a truck driver.

“It’s not all just nonresidents coming out and parking on the streets. Some of us do stay right off 3rd,” Angel said. “We love that we can park right off of 3rd. We usually do it without our trailer.”

Angel lives off 3rd Street and as not only a resident, but a truck driver, he understands the parking issue but thinks there should be an alternative solution to the problem. 

One that benefits the residents, but also doesn’t directly impact the truck drivers who live in that area.

“I get all these complaints but it’s also where we live and we need a place to park when we come home,” he said. “I think a permit for residents could solve that maybe even just for the truck drivers. So they don’t have to open the full can of worms and everyone be permit parking.”

Due to this being a state road, the Florida Department of Transportation does have jurisdiction over this roadway, so the city has to work under their guidelines.

Monday was just the first reading of this ordinance. The second reading will be on May 5.