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Council approves narrow lease change to let San Diego Zoo vary parking rates, council seeks revenue‑share commitment
Summary
Council voted to approve a limited amendment to the San Diego Zoo's lease allowing the zoo and city to charge different parking rates (enabling resident/member discounts). IBA urged the council to secure a revenue‑sharing commitment for the FY26 budget assumptions; public commenters warned paid parking could reduce access for frequent visitors and lower‑income families.
The San Diego City Council on Sept. 8 approved a limited amendment to the 1979 lease with the Zoological Society of San Diego that removes a sentence barring the zoo from charging different rates or providing credits tied to admission. The change — narrowly tailored to permit differentiated parking pricing — is intended to let the zoo and the city coordinate the roll‑out of paid parking in Balboa Park, currently assumed to start in early October.
Casey Smith, deputy chief operating officer, told the council staff’s recommendation is not a full lease renegotiation but a time‑sensitive, single‑sentence change…
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