TREASURE ISLAND Ruling in favor of three beachfront hotel owners, a judge has ordered the city to prohibit vehicles from driving and parking on its beaches.

Circuit Judge Pamela Campbell signed a summary judgment order prohibiting vehicular traffic and parking on Treasure Island's beachfront except for cleanup, repair and public safety reasons.

Last week's ruling came less than two weeks before one of the city's major annual beach events, Sanding Ovations a four-day event beginning Wednesday where sand sculptors across the country and world gather to create sculptures using sand, water and their imaginations.

The event for a city that bills itself as the sand sculpture capital of Florida draws thousands to Treasure Island and, in the past, participants and event attendees alike have parked on the beach.

In light of the judge's ruling, the city is making preparations to move parking offsite this year.

"The event is still on, but I'm not sure in what shape or form," Mayor Robert Minning said Monday.

City Manager Reid Silverboard referred questions to City Attorney Maura Kiefer, who did not respond to a request for comment.

The City Commission held an executive session last week and a second one this week to discuss its options in the case, which could include appealing the ruling.

Meanwhile, the owners of the Thunderbird Hotel, the Page Terrace Motel and the Windjammer Resort are celebrating their victory.

"Our beach is the main economic driver of the island and it needs to be protected," said Thunderbird general manager David King said. "We are very happy with the judge's ruling and look forward to trying to work with the city to continue to have events that protect the beach and not destroy it."

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Ruling prohibits vehicles on Treasure Island beaches