SEAL BEACH : Report Discusses Parking Options

City officials have completed the first of two reports designed to outline the city’s efforts to improve the parking situation on Main Street.

The 22-page report was released last week, about a month after the City Council and Planning Commission held an unusual joint meeting designed to address the parking shortage in Old Town, which has become a bone of contention for both residents and merchants.

The report discusses several ideas for improving the situation--from allowing Main Street customers to park at existing city lots to creating a local tram service.

The second report will be released later in the month.

Planning Director Lee Whittenberg said the reports represent the planning staff’s analysis of suggestions made by city officials, merchants and residents at last month’s special meeting.

The first report suggests:

* Opening the 8th Street Beach Lot to Main Street parking after 6 p.m. and offering reduced parking fees.

* Opening a portion of a city-owned lot at the corner of 8th Street and Central Avenue to Old Town parking after 5 p.m.

* Possibly beginning a tram service between Main Street and shopping centers along Pacific Coast Highway.

* Encouraging merchants to place signs outside their stores that direct customers where to park.

The report also contained an analysis of some often-discussed parking ideas that planning officials decided not to immediately recommend. For example, the report said the city should not strengthen Seal Beach’s permit parking program.