Parking Lot at College Campus Is Urged : Traffic: Consultant says a new lot on community college grounds would relieve congestion in nearby city lots and on residential streets.

Private consultants are recommending that the city and Glendale Community College work together to build a $2.5-million, 750-space parking lot on the college grounds to relieve student parking congestion in nearby city lots and on residential streets.

Another $1 million would be needed for changes in traffic signals and installation of meters on city lots, bringing the total cost to about $3.5 million. Increased student parking fees and city meter fees would pay for the project over the next 10 years, according to a report released Friday by International Parking Design of Sherman Oaks.

Meter rates on nearby city lots would be raised 150% to encourage students to pay $40 a semester to park on campus. Meters also would be installed on unmetered lots next to Verdugo Park and city-owned playing fields so that students would leave spaces open for public use. A ban on student parking in those lots is often abused, officials said.

The report was presented Monday to college trustees. The consultant is expected to call a public forum next month for comments from officials, students and residents, said Nello Iacono, director of parks, recreation and community services. Hearings will be held before action is taken by trustees and the City Council.

The consultant proposed that financing could be arranged by a parking authority to be formed by the college and the city. The authority could issue a government revenue bond, to be repaid through student parking fees. Permits would be issued for use of the campus and city lots. Meter rates for students without permits would rise from 25 cents now charged for 2 1/2 hours to 25 cents per 30 minutes, with a daily maximum of $2.50.

The city and the college would share in the agreement to make up for losses such as decreased revenue to the city from public parking meters, according to the report. Once the bond is repaid, student fees could be used to pay for expanded transportation services, consultants said.

The process for formation of an authority and adoption of a construction plan could take several months, Iacono said.

The proposed campus lot would be built on a hill east of classroom buildings. An elevator or escalator may have to be installed to connect it to the next highest level of the terraced campus, which is 60 feet lower than the proposed new lot.

The project could be completed in about a year, not including installation of an elevator, according to the report. Meantime, shuttles could transport students from the lot to building complexes.

College and city officials have bickered for years over what to do about parking congestion around the campus. The college has an enrollment of more than 14,500 students, while only 605 parking spaces are on campus, mostly reserved for faculty and staff.

Students jam five city lots near the Glendale Civic Auditorium at 1401 N. Verdugo Road. The city several years ago undertook a long-term renovation project at the civic center, which includes building a multilevel garage that will add 375 spaces. But that project is not expected to be completed for at least three years, officials said. The report urged that construction be expedited.

The consultants’ survey found that more than 1,000 student vehicles are regularly parked on public streets surrounding the college, including residential areas. Neighbors complained at a forum last summer that students park on narrow, winding streets, taking up spaces needed by residents, visitors and service workers.