Parking Committee Report
Although we had a low turnout for the parking committee meeting yesterday, we still managed to come up with a game plan for moving forward. Our goal is to get a permit plan for our mixed-use district, in conjunction with time-limited parking. The city approved time limited parking in our area, so long as a petition is properly executed - meaning that 51% of the tenants of the specific block adjacent to the parking approve such time limits. I had tried this route before with Allegro, but didn't get far. I think mostly because the residents at the time didn't fully understand the history of the situation.

For some residents, the idea of having businesses locally is appealing, but supporting said business with time limited parking is not so appealing at the cost of losing their own parking. That's why the permit plan is so important.

If residential areas pay $25 for a permit (and businesses are allowed one permit at $75), then here in the mixed-use district we feel that $100 per permit for both residents and businesses is acceptable. The city wanted $600 or more - for an unguaranteed space! That's insane.

The real idea behind time limited parking is not to punish residents of the area, but to make it unappealing for BART, Amtrak, County workers, and Chinatown workers & patrons.

If you are interested in learning more about parking in the neighborhood, you can check out the JLDA page devoted to parking. The City wanted to blanket the area with meters, and back in 2002, neither the business owners, nor the residents wanted that.

The next parking committee meeting will be held Thursday, April 27, 2006 at 4pm at 229 Harrison (at 3rd Street). Please RSVP to parking@jlda.org if you are interested in attending.
Posted 4/07/2006