It’s been fifteen years since La Mesa has updated its parking rates, and the city is considering doubling them in its downtown parking area.
Currently, it costs $0.75 per hour to park in the city’s Parking District 1 area, and the La Mesa Community Parking Commission is recommending an increase to $1.50 per hour.
The average rate in San Diego County is $2.05 per hour. Revenue from La Mesa’s 4,433 District 1 metered spaces (and relevant citations) is used for infrastructure and operations within the district. The parking commission said in a report that revenue has not kept up with inflation, leaving a dearth of funding for maintenance needs.
The commission also recommended changes to the city’s parking permit program, which allows businesses to purchase parking permits for their employees. The program is structured in two pricing tiers, and each tier grants access to different parking lots. Critics say the program is confusing and employees do not always understand where they can park.
Instead, the commission recommends eliminating the tiers and offering a single permit that grants access to all of the city’s lots. The proposed permit would be priced at $80 per quarter, or $288 annually.
Additionally, the city will consider reducing the maximum number of permits allowed per business from 25 to five to reflect actual usage.
La Mesa City Council Member Laura Lothian suggested during a July 8 meeting that the permit program be restricted only to businesses with storefronts.
“I don’t want to have somebody create a remote business and get a La Mesa business license while working out of their apartment, and they really did it to get a permit for residential parking,” she said.
Council Member Lauren Cazares said she appreciated La Mesa’s lower than average parking rates and suggested they may help local businesses.
“One of the many reasons that people may choose to come to La Mesa is that we end parking enforcement at 6 p.m., versus 8 p.m.,” Cazares said. “Sometimes that’s the difference between dessert at a table or not.”
The council did not take action at the meeting, but rather gave direction to city staff, who will bring the matter back for a decision at a future, yet-to-be-determined date.