Long Beach : Handicapped to Park Free in Lots
Handicapped drivers will be able to park their cars free in off-street, city-owned lots under an ordinance approved Tuesday by the Long Beach City Council.
Drivers displaying state-issued handicapped license plates or dashboard placards on their vehicles will be exempt from parking fees. The city estimates it will lose about $104,000 in annual parking revenue from the decision.
Councilman Evan Anderson Braude, a prime proponent of the idea, added a provision that would limit free parking to no more than 24 hours at a stretch to preclude abuse of the program.
Among the parking lots affected are those at the Civic Center, Belmont Pier, Convention Center and Long Beach Municipal Airport. California law already allows handicapped people to park their vehicles in on-street, metered parking spaces for free and the city has established parking spaces for exclusive use of the handicapped in many areas.
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