Santa Cruz City Council to increase downtown parking rates

The city of Santa Cruz voted Tuesday to increase parking rates in the downtown area effective January 2015.

Parking rates at some meters and the cost of parking permits will go up.

City leaders said this comes after the city absorbed $1.6 million worth of debt over the last eight years.

The following changes will be implemented:

Convert all meters on Pacific Avenue and side streets for one block to a rate of $1 per hour for the first two hours and $2 for each additional hour.
Convert all other two-hour variable rate meters to a rate of 75 cents per hour for the first two hours and $1.50 per hour for each additional hour. Convert all 12-hour meters from 25 cents per hour to 50 cents per hour
Install paid parking at Lots 8 (Pearl Alley) and Lot 9 (Elm/Cedar) Standardize all parking permit rates downtown and increase monthly rates from the existing $20, $25 and $31 to $35 Increase construction permits from $2 per day and $40 per month to $5 per day and $75 per month. Increase annual service vehicle permits by $50 each year for three years.

The city of Carmel in early November will roll out a pilot program to install parking meters on Ocean Avenue from Junipero Avenue to Monte Verde Street. The program includes kiosk multispace meters that use license plate technology.

It would cost $2 per hour with a four-hour maximum.

City leaders want to create more parking spaces since they are finding people are staying longer than enforcement times.