Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Parking problem can't be ignored any longer

Town officials say they are committed to economic development. A key reason for the recently adopted downtown streetscape plan, after all, is to bring more shoppers downtown.

But it's not just the increasingly seedy appearance of the downtown area that poses a threat to the local economy. The big problem is parking. And with streetscape improvements and the renovation and expansion of Old Town on the horizon, the problem is only going to get worse.

Now, after years of fretting, the Town Council says it may possibly be ready to take action. Maybe.

Although two garages are really needed, the fact that the council is ready to talk about one garage is a start.

Unfortunately, it will cost some $4 million to build a new lot. And if there's a way to generate that kind of money without imposing parking fees, no one's figured out what it is.

That leaves the council faced with making an unpopular decision, one it has resisted long and hard: no more free parking in public lots.

Some councilmembers say 35 cents for half an hour of parking seems reasonable. Joanne Benjamin, however, isn't convinced parking fees are a good idea, and Mayor Randy Attaway thinks the town should ask residents before charging new fees.

The council also is talking about giving parking fees in town lots a trial run--but only if residents give the idea their blessing.

A public hearing to solicit thoughts and ideas is a reasonable plan. But to hang such a decision on a positive response from whomever happens to show up for a public hearing is a formula for defeat. Only 15 people showed up for the last budget hearing, after all.

Those who oppose the idea may come; those who don't care will stay away. Those who live outside of town but who come here to spend money likely won't even know the subject is being discussed.

What the council will hear at a public hearing is that given a choice, most local people would rather park for free than have to pay for it.

But is that really the question the council should be asking? Isn't the real concern that people will stay away from downtown if they have to pay an extra $2 or $3 to spend an afternoon or evening?

Rather than ask residents if they want to pay for parking, why not use scientific survey techniques to find out if fees will actually deter people from coming downtown?

Shouldn't local residents and visitors alike be surveyed to see if they'd prefer to pay a modest parking fee or worry about racing back their cars to avoid a ticket?

Shouldn't downtown businesses be asked to weigh in--not haphazardly at a public hearing but in a uniform and systematic way?

Wouldn't it make sense to analyze other communities where parking fees have been imposed?

If the town is committed to downtown improvements, it needs to take some bold steps; it needs to seriously analyze the impact of parking fees versus continued congestion and frustration for downtown shoppers. The council needs to do more than ask residents if they would object to fees.