A DYNAMIC pricing scheme is coming to parking meters in a major US city – along with hefty new fines.
Earlier this week, officials in San Diego, California, said they would take a look at parking rules – just weeks after prices had already doubled.
2
2
Back in January, most hourly parking meters across the city saw an increase from $1.25 to $2.50, following a resolution by the San Diego City Council.
According to NBC San Diego, that accounts for roughly 5,700 metered parking spaces.
Increasing the rates of parking meters came as the city looked for ways to address a shortfall of over $250million in the budget.
While parking meter prices doubled, the city also conducted a parking reform study that explored a host of other increases.
These were addressed at the Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meeting at city hall, which may see an amendment to Chapter 8 of the municipal code, as well as an update to city fees, including charging for late evenings and Sundays.
It will also look into adjusting the rules around parking rates, enforcement times, and usage goals to allow for more flexible parking management, along with an update to the guidelines on how money collected from parking meters can be spent.
There will also be a possible revision or removal of outdated rules around old parking programmes and the introduction of new standards for parking design.
The city manager may also begin to have the authority to manage parking in council-owned areas like parks, beaches, and open spaces.
An improvement to residential parking permit schemes could also be implemented, in an attempt to make it easier to set up new permit areas and adapt to changes in housing developments.
Finally, a proposal to allow for higher parking charges during busy periods – up to as high as £16.50 – could be introduced to manage demand during peak times, such as busy days or seasons.
Other suggested amendments include the creation of a so-called “surge” charge for peak demand that could run as high as $20.00.
San Diego City Council member Stephen Whitburn’s office, the committee’s chairman, said he would “fight to keep parking free for residents in their own neighborhood on Sundays.”
Previously, City Council president Sean Elo-Rivera spoke in January on the doubling of parking meter rates.
He said: “These funds could alleviate pain for tough decisions later.
“But I don’t want San Diegans to be subsidizing vacations for tourists who can afford to come here.”
Raising the already high cost of living on residents who are already struggling was also discussed, with one council member, Vivian Moreno, particularly vocal on the matter.
She said: “Many District 8 constituents would not be able to afford parking rates that have doubled.
“Rising prices are impacting everybody in our community.”
Indeed, locals took to social media to vent their frustration at the changes.
One Facebook user wrote: “$250 million budget deficit, and they are trying to chip away at it by making us pay more, including ending free parking on Sundays, extending paid parking hours past 6 p.m., and introducing special rates for events.”
Can an HOA ban street parking?
According to a North Carolina lawyer, an HOA holds the legal right to band parking anywhere – even in a homeowner’s driveway.
The trick, says HOA lawyer Mike Hunter, is the deed homeowners sign when they buy a home within a subdivision.
“If you buy a home in a deed-restricted community, you’re obligated to abide by those restrictions,” he told the Charlotte Observer.
“If the restrictive covenants say you can’t park on the street, the board has the legal duty to enforce that.”
Many states are passing laws to limit the power of HOAs, though a majority of states still grant HOAs to enforce their regulations, restrictive or otherwise, however they see fit.
Read more here.
