Sausalito, just across the Bay from SF, has replaced attendants with pay stations in four parking lots. While embedded sensors monitor vehicle activity in the lots, residents are given a tag to hang in their vehicles providing 3 hours free parking.
Sausalito's conversion to pay stations for off-street parking could provide an example for cities to overcome some local opposition to conversion from free to fee parking by the generous perk it provides to its residents. Since the purpose of the parking program is not to be a cash cow, the perk may make sense. However, the Sausalito program involves only a change of revenue collection and enforcement, not ending free parking.
"The city did not purchase the new equipment with the objective to increase revenues - instead the city is committed to ensuring that its residents and other customers are well-served by the parking managed in the public interest, and that the costs of enforcement are proportionate to parking revenues," said Jonathon Goldman, director of public works.
"Residents are allowed to park for free for up to three hours between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. but have to hang a tag in their vehicles. Out-of-towners pay $1 to $3 an hour, depending on the parking lot."
Thanks to MTC Headlines
FULL STORY: Sausalito's new high-tech parking makes ticket writing easier
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
How California Transit Agencies are Addressing Rider Harassment
Safety and harassment are commonly cited reasons passengers, particularly women and girls, avoid public transit.
Significant Investments Needed to Protect LA County Residents From Climate Hazards
A new study estimates that LA County must invest billions of dollars before 2040 to protect residents from extreme heat, increasing precipitation, worsening wildfires, rising sea levels, and climate-induced public health threats.
Federal Rule Raises Cost for Oil and Gas Extraction on Public Lands
An update to federal regulations raises minimum bonding to limit orphaned wells and ensure cleanup costs are covered — but it still may not be enough to mitigate the damages caused by oil and gas drilling.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
City of Laramie, Wyoming
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.