A San Diego City Council committee on Wednesday opted against making it free to park in Balboa Park on Sundays — but it’s clearer than ever that city officials are considering unwinding paid parking in the city’s crown jewel, amid widespread public backlash.A proposal to suspend paid parking for city residents indefinitely is headed to the council on Feb. 9. But one councilmember is already discussing expanding that proposal to non-residents, and another has said he simply thinks the city should ditch paid parking entirely.The discussion follows weeks of protests and rallies against the new parking fees – even vandalism of the meters – and a poll that showed overwhelming opposition to the initiative, which the city undertook last year as part of its response to a budget shortfall.
Mayor Todd Gloria has so far remained adamant that paid parking in Balboa Park isn’t going anywhere. If he holds to that position, the council will need to reach a veto-proof majority to overcome his stance.
Just one day before the item was taken up at Wednesday’s Rules Committee, Council President Joe LaCava, alongside councilmembers Kent Lee and Sean Elo-Rivera, announced their proposal to suspend parking fees for residents, but continue to charge non-residents.
LaCava outlined several reasons for calling for the hold, chief among them concerns raised by the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership over falling attendance at museums and polling which showed massive disapproval of the fees.
“Frankly, if the pollsters had contacted me, I would have been part of the 80% who said they don’t like paid parking,” he conceded.
But he also pointed to the 51% of those polled who said that they would prefer to see city services cut back rather than pay for parking at Balboa Park.
“That was a tipping point for me, and I take that seriously,” he said.
Both Lee and LaCava – Elo-Rivera was not present for the vote – rejected Wednesday’s item, holding out for their proposal’s consideration. It hasn’t been made clear what will come of their proposal to suspend parking for city residents. The council members said that the logistics of the suspension — how long it might be and what residents might expect to pay if it’s lifted — will be decided in a full council discussion.Although, based on the committee discussion, there seems to be a looming debate among the council on whether suspension of the fees should be extended to everyone. Campillo made it clear he doesn’t support placing fees on visitors from neighboring cities.
Another issue that could prove to cause friction is if residents should go back to paying if a suspension of the fees is eventually lifted. .
“Though it is limited to free parking on Sundays, I think you would agree Mr. Harris, that that’s not enough,” Campillo said to Shane Harris, before he made a motion to amend the activist’s proposal from reversing paid parking on Sundays to doing so in its entirety.
Moreno was quick to second this motion, however the two weren’t enough to carry the measure to council.
Despite the death of Harris’ proposal, the council committee made it clear that they are all on the same page about one thing: Something has to change.
“I am ready to acknowledge that change is needed now even though we are only a few weeks into this program,” councilmember Lee said.
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