New Volusia County beach parking fee pushes customers away from local businesses

A beach parking fee in Volusia County may be costing beachfront businesses more than just customers.After business owners reported a significant drop in revenue over the past year, the county is now exploring short-term parking solutions to help bring customers back. Several businesses along International Speedway Boulevard’s beach ramp are among those asking for relief, saying the new $20 daily county parking fee is hurting their bottom line.“What we’re experiencing is the people pull in, they either don’t pay and then they get a ticket, and then they get really angry, or they just back out and they leave,” said David Ur, owner of Rustic Dough Works pizza shop.Ur is one of several business owners who say the fee could force them to change their hours — or even close. He says customers, and even his own employees picking up delivery orders, are quickly flagged by parking patrol if they haven’t paid.“It’s like you can pull in here for five minutes. When I say quickly, there’s a food inf