Council launches parking review after wide public comment; directs staff to explore valet pilot and employee parking options

The Carmel‑by‑the‑Sea City Council spent more than an hour Monday discussing downtown parking, safety and visitor access and gave staff direction to pursue short‑term pilots and further study rather than immediate ordinance changes.

Presenters outlined a range of options—revising red‑zone daylighting related to AB 413, reconfiguring on‑street spaces, a valet pilot at the Hunipero/Ocean approach, expanded use of the Forest Theater lot, employee shuttle or carpool programs, and targeted enforcement. Council and members of the public framed the issue as both a safety and economic problem; presenters estimated that lost short‑term parking capacity could translate into roughly $100,000 of business revenue per parking space per year and, applying the estimate to recent spot losses, a multi‑million‑dollar annual revenue impact.

Steven Summers, who operates parking management services in the region, told the council his company could “remove 70 to 100 cars off the street immediately” with a managed valet and off‑site parking plan staged near Junipero and Ocean. Andrew Hooks, a volunteer who compiled street counts and alternatives, showed options for reassigning yellow and red zones and for reusing under‑utilized off‑street lots.

Council discussion emphasized three near‑term priorities: get a formal review from police on AB 413 impacts and whether targeted speed reductions or additional 4‑way stops could be justified; pursue low‑cost pilots that do not obligate the city (for example, a time‑limited valet pilot with a private operator); and convene a Chamber‑led working group to develop employee‑parking incentives and shuttle options. Several council members said employee parking—workers using central spaces for multi‑hour shifts—represents a large share of daytime occupancy and should be an immediate focus.

Chief Tomasi told the council he could prepare an AB 413 status report, including local crash and pedestrian‑safety data, and work with Public Works to model speed‑limit options and the feasibility of shortening or resizing on‑street spaces; the chief and Public Works staff were asked to return with recommendations. The council asked staff to explore a valet pilot as a minimally viable test with a clear sunset and reporting requirement; staff were not asked to commit city funding for the pilot while the council evaluates outcomes.

Public commenters urged a mix of short‑ and long‑term solutions. Business representatives, including the Chamber, offered to convene and co‑lead a working group to explore off‑site employee parking, shared shuttles and potential public‑private financing. Multiple residents urged caution about moving parking into residential neighborhoods and asked that any change preserve walkability.

What happens next: council members agreed parking should be a near‑term priority for staff and community stakeholders. Staff were directed to (1) coordinate with Chief Tomasi and Public Works on an AB 413/status and speed‑limit briefing, (2) work with the mayor and the Chamber to scope an employee‑parking working group, and (3) investigate a time‑limited valet pilot using an outside vendor and report back with a proposed pilot scope, risk assessment and timeline.