Parking Woes and Preferential Zones Continue to Grow

By Teresa Rochester

Tiered of having to park several blocks away from his home, Ferrin Isom wants preferential parking implemented in his neighborhood, which spans Pico Boulevard between Stewart Street and the Santa Monica Freeway.

James Stebinger, a crew member at Trader Joes on Pico, wants the chance to work out a long-term solution to the parking crunch pitting residents and businesses in a battle that is being replayed across the city.

Neither party received the answer they wanted when the Santa Monica City Council decided to shelve the issue for a later date early Wednesday morning. With little debate, the council did, however, approve yet another preferential parking zone near Santa Monica College.

Mayor Pam O’Connor asked the council to postpone the Pico vote because, after an unwieldy three-and-a-half hour debate on another item, only a few speakers remained for the early morning deliberation.

"I do feel some discomfort moving forward on this without due process," O’Connor said.

Those who did speak painted a picture of a community divided, with some residents staunchly in support of the preferential parking zone, and other residents and businesses pleading for a six month period to continue to work out a solution.

"We are not a driveway rich community," Isom said. "We shouldn’t have to suffer while they have their discussions."

Stebinger told the council that Trader Joes is looking to buy property adjacent to the store in order to increase parking, and businesses along that stretch of Pico are in the process of working out ways to share parking. Businesses in the area are also working on establishing a Pico Improvement Association, which would "give us a long-term solution mechanism," he said.

Businesses and neighbors have met twice in recent months to iron out a solution. A survey conducted by the city found that, while many residents in the neighborhood were supportive of the businesses efforts, a majority of neighbors wanted preferential parking implemented.

"It’s virtually becoming a parking lot," said Colin Edwards. "I use the businesses. But I don’t know what else to do."

"This is much ado about nothing," said Michael Silliman, the booking manager for the Unurban Café. "It will mean the end of another performance venue."

Another performing venue under fire was McCabe’s Music, which holds weekend concerts. A store representative said the store actively reminds patrons to respect the neighborhood.

John Zender, a mandolin and banjo teacher at McCabe’s said the preferential parking zone, which would prohibit parking without a permit from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., would kill the long-time shop's music classes. From Monday through Saturday two-hour parking would be allowed between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

"About 80 percent of our teaching is between six and ten," he said. "I’m just afraid something precious will be lost."

City Staff recommended the council approve the preferential zone. A petition, submitted to the city in October of 1998, was signed by 70 percent of residents in the area. City surveys found parking to be as high as 140 percent during the day on Yorkshire Avene and 100 percent on other streets in the neighborhood.

Councilman Richard Bloom, a long-time supporter of preferential parking, said he would be willing to accept the request for a six-month reprieve because it would give businesses a chance to implement change.

"Waiting six months can give them time to get in gear," said Bloom, who attended the most recent neighborhood meeting. "It will allow them to continue to function."

Other council members weren’t as optimistic.

"I have mixed feelings about this," Councilman Ken Genser said. "This has been a process that has had time to go through. I don’t think there is anything I have heard tonight that will really change something."

The council will make its final decision at their next meeting, when those speakers who left have a chance to speak

With little debate or discussion the council did unanimously approve the expansion of an existing preferential parking zone to include the area south of Santa Monica College after residents said their neighborhood was besieged with college students searching for places to park. Residents said the parking situation has become worse since preferential parking zones were implemented in other neighborhoods surrounding the college.

"It’s just like a balloon," Connie Stewart said. "If you squeeze it in the middle it spreads out. Because the college keeps growing we need it to make our lives easier."

The council agreed, passing the extension of the zone with a 6 to 0 vote (Councilman Paul Rosenstein left before the item was heard), to now encompass Cedar, Pine and Grant Streets between 11th and Euclid.

According to a staff report, residents along Cedar Street, between 11th and Euclid, submitted a petition for the preferential parking zone in November of 1998 after garnering signatures from 76 percent of the residents. Pine Street residents quickly followed suit, filing a petition signed by 70 percent of the residents in December 1998.