The owner of Nicky Rottens was trying to shed a 2012 requirement to provide off-site parking spaces for its customers, but the city denied the Coronado restaurant’s appeal at the March 3 City Council meeting.
The discussion centered around whether or not the Coronado Ferry Landing is designated as a major transit stop. Assembly Bill 2097 (AB 2097) prohibits public agencies from enforcing minimum parking requirements on residential, commercial and other developments located within a half-mile of major transit stops.
If the ferry landing is distinguished as a major transit stop, businesses don’t have to pay and provide parking for their customers.
City staff suggested members of the council should deny the appeal, based on the bill.
The city does not think that the ferry landing qualifies as a major transit stop.
Nicky Rottens’ owner, Simon Guindi, and former Coronado mayor Richard Bailey believe that it does classify as one.
“A letter from CalTrans in May of 2025, that was sent to the city numerous times and numerous staff members, confirms that the state recognizes the ferry terminal as a major transit stop,” Bailey stated at the meeting, on behalf of Guindi.
Because this all falls on AB 2097, Council member Mark Fleming felt that council members or the city were not in a position to define what the state says about parking requirements.
“I firmly believe we should uphold the staff’s interpretation,” Council member Carrie Anne Downey said.
All council members voted unanimously to deny the appeal.
