This week, the San Diego City Council voted 5-2 to approve a sweeping set of changes to parking fee rules. The latest in a series of new rates and fines is projected to not only fix San Diego’s budget woes, but singlehandedly eliminate the nation’s $37 trillion debt.
With the fundraising success of the new ‘Daylighting’ law that adjusted rules for parking near intersections (projected to raise $3 million), the council turned its focus to closing the city’s entire $250 million budget gap with more parking fees.
“That’s when we came up with the idea for a flat increase in meter rates, a new fine for meter feeding, Sunday parking fees, and surge pricing,” said Deputy Parking Revenue Strategist Kyle Davenport.
Projections showed these changes would not only erase the deficit, but also fund a bold new expansion of bike lanes.
“But then we realized we need to think bigger,” Davenport explains. “Charge for parking in Balboa Park! Add tiered fine rates, by zip code! How about if we metered all the parking lots at Trader Joe’s… $20 an hour, right after work? Or if somebody’s got a hot date at a bar in Little Italy, and he really wants to impress her, but he’s running a little late? That last parking spot a block away should easily be $100 an hour. Why not! Imagine the possibilities!”
The final package includes an hourly charge, yet to be determined, for placing your car in park, engaging the parking brake, or for any reason having your car sitting still for longer than 10 seconds anywhere in the county, ever. The changes will not go into effect immediately, as officials will need time to install motion-tracking sensors on every registered vehicle in San Diego County.
The news is drawing a mixed response, with some citizens and business owners dismayed over the inconvenience and financial burden. Others point to the positives, noting a recent Newsweek article in which San Diego was ranked a top city in America for career growth for young professional meter maids.
