Key Biscayne residents are challenging two proposed ordinances on construction parking and gravel-covered swales, with Councilman Frank Caplan seeking a delay.

Caplan asked the Village Council to defer the proposals so incoming Mayor Brett Moss could review them, Key Biscayne Portal reported Nov. 5. He called the gravel proposal “half-baked” and “misguided.”

The report described a possible postponement of about a year but did not establish a formal deferral period or report a vote tally.

The village's business impact estimate for the parking proposal, posted Oct. 2, says contractors would have to install gravel in swales beside adjacent properties during single-family construction and restore the swales afterward.

Village staff said the proposal was intended to contain parking damage, improve drainage and reduce enforcement problems. The estimate projected compliance costs of less than $5,000 per major construction project, including gravel installation and restoration. Those are staff estimates for the proposal, not established charges.

Swales occupy the public right of way beside the street. The village's swale maintenance page explains residents' maintenance responsibilities.

Residents raised concerns about neighborhood appearance and drainage, according to the Portal. Betty Sime Conroy urged the council to prioritize neighborhood preservation. Annika Akerlund argued that homeowners undertaking construction should provide parking rather than shift the burden to neighbors.

Louisa Conway questioned how the proposals fit with stormwater improvements and called for engineering analysis. Other speakers warned that trucks could compact the ground and affect drainage; those were residents' concerns, not engineering findings established in the report.

Alternatives included using available driveways and renting off-site parking for crews. Councilman Ed London asked staff to explore parking at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park or other locations, with workers sharing rides to job sites, the Portal reported.