Santa Monica News Montana Merchants, Residents Fight for Street Parking

Montana Merchants, Residents Fight for Street Parking

By Olin Ericksen
Staff Writer

March 4 -- Battle lines are once again being drawn between residents and merchants in the ongoing war for parking, as City leaders Tuesday are scheduled to consider extending residential permits near Montana Avenue.

For now, the 900 block of 5th street and the 500 block of Idaho will be considered for permits by the council, after block residents -- tired of workers and customers parking on their street -- gathered hundreds of signatures to qualify.

The total number of blocks affected could rise to five, however, as residents on three additional blocks have been actively gathering signatures as well, City official said.

"Basically, residents say they can't find parking near where they live," said Ruth Harper, a transportation planning associate for the City. "On average, they say they have to park three and four blocks from their house, and they circle sometimes for 30 minutes before they find a spot."

Yet roping off parking for residents could be bad for business, says Jane Walker, President of the Montana Avenue Merchants Association and a resident of the area.

"The bone of contention I have with this plan is there is nothing here to expand permit parking for employees, while they are considering taking away the parking that already exists," said Walker, who manages Three Bags Full on Montana.

Montana employees and shoppers currently must feed meters and move cars frequently to avoid $35 dollar parking fines, Walker said.

"With the two hour limit, its fine if you want to park and have a coffee," she said, "but if you are an employee looking to park all day, it's impossible."

With parking north of Montana already reserved for residents, the area south of Montana -- between Fifth and Seventh Street -- is the only respite for Montana businesses, said Walker.

Walker -- a former New Yorker who lives on California and Sixth Street -- says the hunt for a residential parking spot is part of living in a densely packed City.

"The other night I had to park five blocks from where I live," said Walker "That's just the reality that we have to deal with. Permit parking doesn't necessarily mean that you get parking."

Walker also worries that preferential parking for residents may have a "domino effect," pushing parking problems into other nearby areas.

With parking as a political hot potato in Santa Monica, City Council member Kevin McKeown said he, and others on the council, are examining the issue thoroughly.

"When I saw this I immediately contacted the Wilshire/Montana neighborhood association and the Montana Business Association to get their reaction," McKewon said. "I haven't yet heard back from them.

"The question will be how much benefit will there be to neighborhood parking compared to the stress this may place on businesses on Montana," he said.

McKeown held out hope that residents and merchants could find some middle ground.

"In the past, there's been very good relations between the both groups," he said. "It's not a blood sport like its been for car dealerships along Santa Monica Boulevard. This is part and parcel of the ongoing expansion of preferential parking throughout the City."

"The bottom line for me is that I don't know which way I'll be going from this,” he said. “I'm still waiting for more input."

But Walker is somewhat skeptical the council will come up with a plan.

"As a merchant and a resident in the area, I can say the main problem is there is no plan in place," Walker said. "I thought three years ago when they hired people to address this problem there would some plan in place, but there isn't still."