TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to report back within 60 days with a report on how other cities with similar environments address coastal parking challenges as well as a review of the feasibility of residential parking permit programs to address the problem of non-residents parking in residential neighborhoods near our coastline, and the possible residential use of beach parking lots.
DISCUSSION
Long Beach residents who live near our coastal areas frequently contact City Council offices regarding a lack of available on-street parking due to the influx of visitors to our beaches. The peak parking periods tend to be weekends and holidays, particularly in the summer months. However, during the week and throughout the year the issue of parking also exists because many of the neighborhoods nearest our beaches feature restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues that further create a draw to these parking impacted neighborhoods and leads to further constraints on the availability of parking for residents. We understand that the California Coastal Commission has major concerns with any parking programs that would impact the supply of visitor parking and overall beach access. However, in the past cities such as Seal Beach have implemented time restricted parking within the coastal zones and cities such as Santa Monica and Santa Cruz have adopted parking districts within the coastal zone that prohibit parking by non-residents. The possibility of permitted parking districts, during evening hours specifically seems possible because beach access is treated as a daytime issue and night permits would not impact this. This type of parking measure could be helpful to address residential parking concerns as well as quality of life issues raised by residents near business districts and entertainment venues. Further, there are large beach parking lots that could be great assets for residents in parking impacted neighborhoods along our coasts.
FISCAL IMPACT
There ...
Click here for full text