Silva Opposes Meters for Beach Parking Lot

County Supervisor Jim Silva said this week that he supports residents of this diminutive beach community in their fight against a county proposal to put parking meters in Orange County’s last free oceanfront lot.

County officials say parking fees are needed to help pay the $500,000 annual cost of beach maintenance and lifeguard salaries.

But residents say that, unlike other beach communities, theirs has no nearby streets for parking, only the 628-space parking lot that stretches the length of the 574-home, unincorporated community.

“This is a unique area,” said Pat Thies, president of the Sunset Beach Community Assn. “Most of us are against this proposal.”

Silva assured residents who met this week with county Environmental Management Agency representatives that he will oppose the plan, which would require residents to purchase a $50-a-year permit for each car parked in the lot.

“When there are unallocated funds available for beach operations, a new fee becomes nothing more than a hidden tax--a tax I simply cannot support,” Silva said in a prepared statement.

The county’s Urban Parks Program has about $2.8 million that Silva said should be used for Sunset Beach maintenance costs. Silva said he will ask the Board of Supervisors to shift the funds to the county Harbors, Beaches and Parks division.

The parking meter proposal would have to be approved by the Harbors, Beaches and Parks Commission and the county Planning Commission before final review by the supervisors.

Sunset Beach residents will meet again early next week with Silva and county officials to seek a compromise.