Why this matters
The city last updated its downtown parking meter rates more than 20 years ago. Staff say they’re now facing increased maintenance costs.
It’s not just the city of San Diego: La Mesa officials also are increasing prices to secure more revenue from parking.
Starting in January, drivers will be charged $1.50 an hour — double the current cost — to use metered spots in La Mesa’s downtown village district. Councilmembers unanimously approved the hike during a meeting last month.
From the Documenters
This story came in part from notes taken by Vyktorya Torres, a San Diego Documenter, at a La Mesa City Council meeting last month. The Documenters program trains and pays community members to document what happens at public meetings.
City staff said the hike was needed to cover increased costs for maintenance and improvements. This adjustment alone will earn the city an additional $273,000 per year if demand for parking remains the same, city staff projected.
La Mesa’s more than 400 meters downtown make up the largest revenue source among the city’s parking programs, bringing in about $350,000 last year. The money is used to improve and maintain the meters, streets, lights, parking lots and other infrastructure projects.
Officials are also seeking ways to address parking supply shortages in the area.
“What we’re looking for is, what threshold is going to trigger the need for and the demand for a parking garage?” City Manager Greg Humora said during the meeting. “Because if we build it, we want to make sure it gets used.”
The city plans to review parking rates every three years under a recommendation from Councilmember Patricia Dillard, who said doing so would ensure the rates “remain aligned with the current economic conditions.”
Parking permits for businesses in the area will also be updated. The city will eliminate tiered permits and instead offer a flat rate for all designated parking areas at the cost of $80 per quarter or $288 annually. That change would bring an additional $35,000 in annual revenue.
Businesses who want more than the maximum five permits must demonstrate a need for them in an application that would be reviewed by the city manager’s office. Previously, each business was allowed to buy as many as 25 permits.
Councilmember Laura Lothian pointed out that the cost of the permits equates to as little as less than $1 a day.
“It’s dirt cheap. It’s super dirt cheap,” she said.
The city last updated its meter rates in 2005. It now joins others in San Diego County to make a similar move: Chula Vista recently doubled its downtown parking rate, and the city of San Diego overhauled its parking rules to generate more revenue.
Type of Content
News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.