‘Locals Only’ Parking Plan Considered for Balboa Area : Congestion: Homeowners want a new structure or expanded lot at the pier, which in turn would open up street parking for visitors.

Hoping to please both residents and business owners in the central Balboa area, city officials may consider creating a “locals only” parking structure or zone for residents to help solve parking problems in the area.

City officials agree a parking structure is a possible solution, but say they would rather expand the existing lot near the Balboa Pier than purchase a site to build a new structure.

City traffic engineer Richard Edmonston said an additional parking structure would probably impair neighboring views, and that trying to build a basement structure so near the beach would be too costly.

He said that redrawing the lines on the existing lot near the pier may be the best way to add spaces but not erode the aesthetic quality of the area. Edmonston said it would be difficult to determine how many spaces could be added to the 100-space lot.

A recent report to the City Council from a committee studying the problem suggested the “locals only” structure as a way to give residents needed parking without taking spaces from merchants.

Homeowner groups in the area initiated the plan, and city staff is investigating five possible sites for a parking structure.

Residents say the area is congested and that it is increasingly difficult to find parking. They say some apartment units don’t offer garage parking, forcing residents to park on the streets.

A residents-only lot, they said, would ensure homeowners and renters of parking, while freeing up street parking for visitors.

Shop owners say patrons need more parking spaces and that much of the congestion is due to people looking for open spaces.