Flagler Beach Commissioner Warns Against Excessive Street Closures

Commission Chair Eric Cooley expresses concerns over the city's increasing frequency of downtown street closures for events.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:52pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of an empty downtown street in Flagler Beach, Florida, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the pavement and buildings. The scene evokes a quiet, contemplative mood about the challenges of balancing community events and local business needs.As Flagler Beach grapples with the impact of frequent street closures for local events, a sense of nostalgic solitude settles over the city's picturesque downtown.Flagler Beach Today

The Flagler Beach City Commission approved extended hours for the city's farmers' market on April 11 as the market partners with Turtle Fest, but Commission Chair Eric Cooley voiced strong reservations about the city's growing number of downtown street closures and their negative impact on residents and business owners. Cooley said he worries the city is 'getting overzealous' with street closures, which he says inconvenience many to benefit a few.

Why it matters

Flagler Beach's downtown area has seen an increase in street closures for various events, which has drawn criticism from some residents and business owners who say the closures disrupt normal traffic flow and access to their properties. The debate highlights the challenge of balancing the needs of the community, event organizers, and local businesses.

The details

The farmers' market will partner with Turtle Fest on April 11 and the Cedar Bridge Foundation's autism Run/Walk on April 26, donating its vendor fees to the two organizations. Normally the market closes South 2nd Street between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. every Saturday, but on April 11 it will remain open until 5 p.m. to coincide with Turtle Fest. Commissioner James Sherman recalled how South Central Avenue was closed for months, impacting businesses, and suggested the market use a private parking lot instead of closing the street. Commissioners R.J. Santore and Scott Spradley wanted to ensure a hard stop at 5 p.m. to prevent interference with the dinner crowd.

  • The farmers' market partners with Turtle Fest on April 11.
  • The farmers' market partners with the Cedar Bridge Foundation's autism Run/Walk on April 26.

The players

Eric Cooley

The Flagler Beach City Commission Chair who expressed significant reservations about the city's increasing frequency of downtown street closures for events.

Jim Kelling

The operator of the Flagler Beach farmers' market, who is partnering the market with Turtle Fest and the Cedar Bridge Foundation's autism event.

Anthony Cinelli

A property owner who is allowing free parking in his private lot for the Turtle Fest and autism events on April 11 and 26.

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What they’re saying

“I worry that we as a city are getting overzealous on closing streets and roads.”

— Eric Cooley, Flagler Beach City Commission Chair

“The objective is to open up foot traffic between the two events, and vendors will exist in both events.”

— Jim Kelling, Farmers' market operator

“As a property owner in this area, I do appreciate your comment about not closing streets as much as possible, because it does affect the businesses and the people that live there.”

— Property owner

What’s next

The Flagler Beach City Commission will continue to monitor the impact of street closures for events and work to balance the needs of the community, event organizers, and local businesses.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the challenge cities face in managing the competing interests of event organizers, residents, and business owners when it comes to street closures. Flagler Beach will need to find ways to support community events while minimizing disruptions to daily life and commerce.