No Easy Solution to Restaurant Parking

There have been quite a few people writing about restaurant parking on Marco Island recently. All these opinions seem to ignore the fact that for the vast majority of existing restaurants, adding parking is simply not an option. Space is limited on Marco Island. More restrictive parking requirements will only reduce seating for restaurants, while keeping the parking issues exactly the same. After struggling to find a parking spot at a Marco Island restaurant during season, patrons are still put on a wait list for a table. 
Removing seating from restaurants to create the illusion of more parking spaces will only lengthen wait times and lessen residents’ chances of getting a table during season. 
As a 37 year Marco Island resident, I know the frustrations of trying to dine on Marco Island during our busy season. I wish I had a solution to offer instead of simply pointing out that the proposed ‘solution’ of reducing seating will not solve the problem. The only thing I can suggest to residents is to make reservations ahead of time. I can’t speak for other establishments, but we always give priority to regular customers, often saving favorite tables for locals on their usual nights out.