MTA Supports More Subway Parking

The MTA will go ahead with a plan to provide more parking at the North Hollywood and Universal City subway stations after the agency’s board expressed support for the effort, officials said Thursday.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board took no formal action, but members briefed on the plan Thursday voiced backing for the $500,000 proposal to ease the parking crunch at the two subway stations.

“There was a consensus to proceed, so we are moving ahead,” said Tom Conner, the agency’s executive officer for transit planning.

The strongest concern voiced Thursday was by Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson, who worried that a plan to restripe the parking lots to provide more smaller spaces might mean more dings and nicks for sport utility vehicles.

But Conner said the restriping would comply with city codes that require a majority of spaces to be striped for standard-size cars.

The agency also is drafting a stricter enforcement program. Conner said about 20% of drivers using the Universal City subway lot are walking across Lankershim Boulevard to high-rise office buildings and Universal Studios entertainment venues.

The only action required of the MTA board is approval of a contract next month to pave a new parking lot next to the old train depot in North Hollywood. Some residents oppose that project for fear it would delay a proposed park on the property.

Conner said the parking lot would be temporary and would not affect the depot.