Residents Fight Plan to Add Parking Meters

Residents along Avenida Calafia are fighting plans for parking meters on the street, saying they would be the ones forced to spend coins, not beach-goers.

“I am not opposed to helping get the city out of debt, but it’s not fair to tax residents who live here,” resident Terry Lawrence said.

The Planning Commission this week voted 4 to 2 to recommend an undetermined number of meters on Avenida Calafia and Camino Capistrano. Commissioners Joseph Oliver and Susan Ritschel voted no; Ricardo Nicol was absent.

The commission majority said meters are needed to recoup expenses, but agreed to install fewer than the 180 originally proposed.

The city “cleans the beaches and supports lifeguards,” Commissioner Frank Montesinos said. “Someone has to pick up the tab.” The City Council, which requested a study to raise more revenue for the city, still must approve the plan. The meters would cost $1 an hour. An operating schedule is being studied.