News
The South Lake Tahoe City Council held off ap proving hundreds of paid parking spaces along several streets Tuesday following concerns from nearby businesses.
City staff has proposed designating 300 paid parking spaces at Stateline Beach, Regan Beach and along sections of Venice Drive and Saddle Road as a way to generate revenue for the city.
Several representatives from South Shore businesses said they would like more details on the parking plans before the council makes a decision that could impact residents and the economy.
The council is expected to gather additional input on the proposal and revisit the matter at its first meeting in March.
Bob Hassett, the owner of Lakeside Marina and Fresh Ketch Restaurant, said the lack of communication from the city regarding the paid parking plan is a “major concern.”
Hassett said he is glad the city is improving its parking enforcement, but said he hasn't seen enough details of the proposal to understand how it could affect his customers and his businesses.
“There is some concern there when you talk about increasing these fees,” Hassett said.
The city should seek additional input to ensure the right decision is made, Hassett said.
Several council members agreed.
Councilman Hal Cole was among those who said more public input should be garnered before the council makes a decision on the parking proposal.
“I'm not opposed to paid parking, but I am opposed to making a decision at this meeting,” Cole said.
He acknowledged approval of the proposal will have an impact on business, but also reminded people at Tuesday's meeting that council members made a commitment to look at additional revenue streams during contentious budget discussions in October that resulted in job cuts.
The city retained employees it can't afford without additional revenue sources, Cole added.
Additional cuts could be needed if the city does not approve some kind of paid parking proposal, said City Manager Tony O'Rourke.
“This is the only proposed increase in revenue in a $94 million budget,” O'Rourke said.
Thirty-three parking kiosks needed for the additional paid parking spaces will cost about $255,000 over five years plus $80,000 annually.
Using a $1.50 per hour rate, the paid parking spaces are expected to generate about $350,000 a year in fees, according to city estimates.
Streets near the paid parking spaces would be designated as “permit-only” parking for residents under the proposal due to an increase in demand for parking near the new paid parking spaces.
City staff has proposed designating 300 paid parking spaces at Stateline Beach, Regan Beach and along sections of Venice Drive and Saddle Road as a way to generate revenue for the city.
Several representatives from South Shore businesses said they would like more details on the parking plans before the council makes a decision that could impact residents and the economy.
The council is expected to gather additional input on the proposal and revisit the matter at its first meeting in March.
Bob Hassett, the owner of Lakeside Marina and Fresh Ketch Restaurant, said the lack of communication from the city regarding the paid parking plan is a “major concern.”
Hassett said he is glad the city is improving its parking enforcement, but said he hasn't seen enough details of the proposal to understand how it could affect his customers and his businesses.
“There is some concern there when you talk about increasing these fees,” Hassett said.
The city should seek additional input to ensure the right decision is made, Hassett said.
Several council members agreed.
Councilman Hal Cole was among those who said more public input should be garnered before the council makes a decision on the parking proposal.
“I'm not opposed to paid parking, but I am opposed to making a decision at this meeting,” Cole said.
He acknowledged approval of the proposal will have an impact on business, but also reminded people at Tuesday's meeting that council members made a commitment to look at additional revenue streams during contentious budget discussions in October that resulted in job cuts.
The city retained employees it can't afford without additional revenue sources, Cole added.
Additional cuts could be needed if the city does not approve some kind of paid parking proposal, said City Manager Tony O'Rourke.
“This is the only proposed increase in revenue in a $94 million budget,” O'Rourke said.
Thirty-three parking kiosks needed for the additional paid parking spaces will cost about $255,000 over five years plus $80,000 annually.
Using a $1.50 per hour rate, the paid parking spaces are expected to generate about $350,000 a year in fees, according to city estimates.
Streets near the paid parking spaces would be designated as “permit-only” parking for residents under the proposal due to an increase in demand for parking near the new paid parking spaces.
In other council news:
The council approved a resolution that will send proposed changes in the city's business tax license structure to voters June 5.The proposed changes would decrease the taxes businesses pay on their gross receipts by approximately 5 percent, while increasing the cap on the business license tax from $3,448 to $20,000, according to a city staff re port.
