Why is city council considering giving away more of our downtown parking spaces? On this week’s council agenda, there is an item by a new restaurant on Upper Forest Avenue (not part of the Promenade) to get a parklet. It would require two existing precious parking spaces. It would significantly expand the restaurant’s dining space, which means more customers and more need for parking. The owner would pay to build it and give the city an annual payment of $2,638 total for both parking spaces.
That doesn’t pencil out. Supposedly, the average parking meter revenue is around $4,500, according to city officials. But Forest Avenue’s parking revenue should really be compared to the estimated $6,731 per meter income at Lot 1 next to Coast Hardware, which is always full. So, the city gets $2,638 a year instead of, on the low side, $9,000 – or more realistically, $13,462 – it would normally earn off of meter fees.
Or is there something more insidious going on? Are we then going to be told that we don’t have enough parking (because they have given it all away for a pittance), and now we must build a new parking structure? And exactly who would be paying for this structure that only helps businesses and tourists? Tell city officials to stop giving away public land to businesses and stop robbing residents of needed parking spaces and income. Covid is over. Why are we even considering this?
Michèle Monda, Laguna Beach
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Because of the Indy submission deadline, this was submitted before the CC meeting on Tuesday. Surprise! The staff report was incorrect. It stated that the annual “rent” on the parklet would be $2,638 for both spaces. Mayor Whalen corrected staff by saying it was actually going to be market rate – $18,540. Quite a large error for staff to make don’t you think?? So while financially this would seem to be a great idea, it still takes away 2 of our parking spaces. All the more reason now to support Mike Ray’s envisioned parking entertainment complex? Curious timing don’t you think? AND the restaurant has just increased their size 64% according to the owner. Wow – what a deal – for everyone but residents needing parking and merchants needing business. That night CC totally ignored the pleas of the merchants who begged them not to take away these parking spots bc their businesses are suffering. Food court it is Laguna!
I hope the City does a better job of collecting this money than it has done in collecting parking in lieu fees . . . which it didn’t collect.
Stopping robbing residents of our zen. We like outdoor dining and the more the better. Relax, Michele.
Stop robbing retailers on Forest of their parking. Wake up, Billy.
If our city collected in-lieu parking fees then 1) Coastal Commission grants a replacement parking exemption 2) parking occupancy would not increase 3) our city could stop operating downtown like a parking-lot 4) off-street parking structures would not be a temptation 5) visitor fees replace parking fees, what Malibu does, even Burning Man charges visitor fees 6) enhanced foot traffic not car traffic will revitalize retail business.
All of these are afforded by adopting COMPLETE STREETS POLICY in Laguna Beach so why does city hall bury their heads in the sand? https://lagunastreets.blogspot.com/2022/09/beach-fee-for-day-trippers.html