City Council to Vote on Meter Hours Resolution Tonight

A proposal to increase city revenues by more than $1,000,000 by extending parking meter hours will be up for discussion during a public hearing to be held by the West Hollywood City Council on Monday evening.

First proposed by the transportation commission in October, the proposal would extend parking meters hours beyond 8 p.m. on Santa Monica Boulevard, La Brea Avenue and other city streets.

(A full list of recommendations can be found in the staff report above.)

The plan also calls for the creation of a $30 per-month parking pass that could be used by employees of businesses near the meters, which would be valid at designated meters in the vicinity of Beverly and San Vicente Boulevards and at select off-street City parking facilities on Sundays

In a public statement released in January, the city stated that the goal of the plan is to increase parking turnover and to encourage motorists to use off-street structures for long-term parking.

"Extending parking meter hours will help move more long-term parkers into appropriate spaces in parking structures and lots and keep meters in key locations open for local business customers," the city stated in a press release.

The extended hours also means means more money for the city; more than $1,000,000 in revenues associated with new parking meter regulations have been built into the city's two-year budget plan.

According to a staff report regarding the parking meter proposal, the funds would be used to pay for increased security around businesses in West Hollywood.

"The projected revenue derived from the extended parking meter hours has been budgeted in [Fiscal Year 2013 and 2014] to increase funding for public safety," the staff report states. "Increased patrols by the West Hollywood Sheriff and private security personnel have been identified as a significant community priority to help abate nuisances, improve the quality of life throughout West Hollywood as well as help resolve the neighborhood livability concerns of our residents who live nearby."

The West Hollywood City Council will meet tonight (Monday, April 1) at 6 p.m. at the West Hollywood Park Public Meeting Room, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd.