Folly Beach may soon see higher parking fees as the City Council considers new rates for its paid parking lots. The proposal is designed to bring the rates in line with neighboring communities and address traffic and congestion in the island’s commercial areas. According to City Administrator Aaron Pope, the current rates have not been adjusted in several years, and the city aims to increase turnover in parking lots closest to the commercial districts.
Proposed Parking Rates
The following rates are under consideration:
5th Street East to 5th Street West:
March-September:
Monday through Friday: Flat fee of $15
Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays: Flat fee of $25
October-February:
Monday through Friday: Flat fee of $10
Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays: Flat fee of $15
6th Street East to Summer Place / 6th Street West to 9th Street West:
March-September:
$3 per hour or $12 per day
October-February:
$2.50 per hour or $10 per day
Pope emphasized that while parking lot rates could rise, there are still around 3,000 free spaces available on the island.
Changes to Parking Citations
In addition to the potential rate increases, changes to parking citations may be on the horizon. While all tickets can be appealed through the city court, the process could shift. Citations would no longer have a court date listed, but instead offer an opportunity to contest the ticket. If a ticket was issued in error, such as a misidentified license plate, the parking contractor may cancel it after a review.
Pope also mentioned the possibility of increasing on-street parking meter rates from $2.50 per hour to $3 per hour, pending approval from the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). Residents are encouraged to attend upcoming work sessions and council meetings to provide input.
Pedestrian Scramble Proposal for Center Street Intersection
The city also plans to review ongoing projects, including the potential for a pedestrian scramble at the intersection of Center Street and Ashley Avenue, the only traffic light in the area. The scramble would allow pedestrians to cross diagonally, alongside traditional crosswalks, while all traffic is stopped. The proposal aims to improve pedestrian safety as traffic and foot traffic have increased in the area.
Andrea Weathers, a longtime resident of Folly Beach, strongly supports the idea of a pedestrian scramble. She believes it would reduce confusion for both drivers and pedestrians. “It would be much easier if all traffic stops and the pedestrians can walk from corner to corner,” Weathers said.
Next Steps for the Pedestrian Scramble Project
Pope shared that the city met with SCDOT to revisit discussions about the pedestrian scramble, but SCDOT requires a traffic analysis to assess the impact of the change on traffic flow, delays, and pedestrian safety.
The City Council will continue to review these proposals and consider public feedback in upcoming meetings.
