Public Parking Propierty

If you’ve driven down Adams Avenue (and behind the library, even), chances are you’ve seen the new “pay by license” parking meters. In fact, these meters are popping up throughout the City of San Diego. Most widely publicized are the “pay by license” parking meters in Balboa Park, which are currently being challenged. As our local government continues to play “whack-a-mole” with balancing budgets and waives or significantly reduces parking restrictions on new construction projects, both big and small, it’s the residents and small business owners of these communities who will ultimately pay the price.

As unhappy as I am about the meters due to the general inconvenience and cost in a city that is already unbearably expensive for many, equally frustrating is how this impacts the local residents of such communities. These paid parking areas are, and will continue to, propel drivers to seek free parking deeper within the neighborhoods, further impacting the already limited street parking available to the people who live there. This negatively impacts the quiet enjoyment of living in these neighborhoods as well. While I can’t change the meters in these urban areas, I can offer some advice about parking “etiquette”:

1. When parking in a residential neighborhood, if at all possible, try not to park right in front of the front door of any given house or home entrance. Living in the City means that many residents rely on street parking, as there is just not enough off-street parking available. While it is public property and not “owned” by the resident of any given home, it’s common courtesy to leave them the space if you can.

2. Be mindful of spacing -Conserve space by pulling close to the next car, so as to leave as much parking available to other vehicles. Conversely, pull as close to a non-parking area as you are able to allow other vehicles to park behind or in front of your vehicle.

3. Do not block the driveways of the residents. Not only can it lead to tickets, but it is incredibly rude and frustrating for the people who live there.

4. Mailboxes and visibility deserve consideration. Don’t park in front of a mailbox (prevents mail delivery), or in areas that may block visibility for others pulling out of their driveway.

5. Visitor Parking – if you live in the neighborhood and are hosting friends, ask them to park in your driveway if possible, or right in front of your home to avoid having them impact neighbors. If you are having a big party, notify your neighbors in advance so they are aware that parking may be impacted.

6. Communication is key – just as is the case in any successful relationship, communicating when there is an issue will be the most effective way of solving problem. Talk to your neighbor about any perceived inconvenience before reporting to authorities.

This will become our new reality in San Diego. Hopefully these tips are helpful as we navigate these new waters. Please be mindful and respectful of others, and keep in mind what makes our neighborhoods so special…its all about the people.