In Response to Public Outcry, City Council Votes to Stop Paid Parking Deliberations

After hearing from over two dozen residents and business owners who spoke out strongly against bringing to downtown Half Moon Bay, the city council unanimously voted to stop deliberations on the program as a potential revenue source.

In front of a standing-room only crowd, councilmembers listened to residents' concerns that the paid parking proposal would deter potential visitors and business patrons from the city, as well as coming at a bad time with the .

Several councilmembers spoke about the possibility of considerating a half-cent raise in city sales tax for three years instead as a way to raise revenue — a move that could bring anywhere between $600,000 - $700,000 in general fund monies to Half Moon Bay's coffers, according to Half Moon Bay Mayor Allan Alifano. However, councilmembers mentioned that they would be looking to residents and downtown business owners for their support — especially given that the initiative to in November 2010 failed.

In response to several community members' comments that parking limits are rarely enforced downtown — and could be a source of increased revenue — Mayor Alifano pledged to meet with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Half Moon Bay substation head Lt. Lisa Williams and City Manager Laura Snideman to step up enforcement.

Following the vote, councilmember Rick Kowalczyk mentioned that he would like the city to revisit the parking meter program a year from now.

Come back to Half Moon Bay Patch for a full report on the meeting tomorrow morning.

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