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San Anselmo council backs Pine Street 4-hour change, asks staff for parking-permit fee options
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Summary
Councilmembers supported converting Pine Street to 4-hour parking and asked staff to return with three options for a downtown resident daytime-parking permit (current $25/daytime fee plus overnight permit, a free option, and a hybrid with a free first permit and escalating fees); staff will include equity waivers and implementation costs.
The San Anselmo Town Council on April 14 discussed a proposed downtown resident daytime-parking permit aimed at giving residents who cannot park in a driveway more predictable access to on-street spaces.
Staff member Scott presented the draft program, saying the daytime sticker would allow qualifying residents to park all day in existing 4-hour zones and would be priced at $25 a year in addition to the current overnight permit. "The daytime stickers would be an additional $25 a year matching the price of the merchant program," Scott said, and staff proposed making the Western end of Pine Street a 4-hour zone so those residents could participate.
The presentation explained that the daytime permit is limited to the green (4-hour) zones on the town map; red (2-hour) zones are intended for short-term customer parking. Scott told the council the program is intended to "legalize" cars that already park all day on downtown streets rather than substantially increase demand, and that handheld enforcement tools and license-plate checks would help police verify permits.
Public commenters — including apartment residents and seniors — urged the council to adopt a solution and highlighted enforcement and equity concerns. Brent Wexler, who said he lives in an eight-unit building with one parking space per unit, said repeated tickets made the proposal "definitely going to benefit a number of us here." Several residents asked that the town ensure access for renters and people on fixed incomes.
Councilmembers pressed staff on eligibility, enforcement and fairness. Councilmember Eileen, who lives downtown, said the current hardship/overnight program imposes a real burden on seniors and tenants who must move cars often and suggested the daytime program "should be free." Shantel asked whether the town could make the program easier for low-income residents or seniors and how the town would measure success. Staff indicated existing tax-equity/exemption processes could be adapted to provide reductions or waivers and that implementation details would be returned to the council.
On enforcement, staff said several crossing guards and signalized intersections would remain prioritized for safety and that enforcement in 4-hour zones has historically been less aggressive than in the 2-hour core; any change in enforcement levels would be phased to avoid sudden ticketing spikes.
After discussion, councilmembers signaled agreement to change Pine Street to 4-hour parking and directed staff to return with three options for council consideration: (1) the staff-recommended fee structure (daytime sticker $25 plus existing overnight fees), (2) an entirely free program, and (3) a hybrid that makes the first permit free at the unit/address and charges for additional permits (with the option of a sliding reduction or 50% subsidy for qualifying low-income residents). Staff was also asked to present projected implementation costs, revenue impacts, language-access plans (Spanish translation for forms), and specific enforcement metrics for a six-month and one-year review.
Mayor (presiding) summarized the direction to staff and noted the item will return to the council with a resolution and the requested options. The council closed the item with no final vote on the permit fee structure; staff will return with the options and recommended language for a resolution.