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San Leandro small-business owners, residents urge council to reconsider new paid parking on East 14th
Summary
Multiple downtown business owners and residents told the council the recent rollout of paid parking on East 14th (the Best Building lot and surrounding meters) is confusing, is driving customers away and disproportionately affects elderly patrons; the council said it would follow up with staff and departments already engaged.
Business owners and residents filled the San Leandro council chamber on April 6 to press the council to reconsider newly implemented paid parking on East 14th Street and at the Best Building lot.
Jeff Carey, a local real estate professional, described the meter layout and payment process as confusing and said customers were inconvenienced by having to walk to distant kiosks and to record license-plate numbers. "Those parking meters are very tough to understand," Carey said.
Lynette Bailey, an accountant whose business is near the Best Building, said her clientele includes many elderly people who struggle with apps and kiosks. "This policy is unintentionally driving away vulnerable members of our community and hurting small businesses like mine," she said, asking the council to allow at least two free hours for quick drop-offs.
Multiple speakers—including Brian Rooney, Ed Harris and Bob Jones—said paid parking is hurting downtown commerce and urged the council to reconsider or refine the approach. Emily Crago, CEO of the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, asked for continued dialogue and outreach, saying meters can increase turnover but that the Best Building lot presents unique safety and garage‑access concerns.
Mayor Juan Gonzales responded with context about funding and intent for one of the consent items that generated questions: he said the traffic‑signal work referenced by commenters was CTC‑funded and intended to support detour routing when I‑880 closes for incidents, and not a general fund reallocation.
No formal council action was taken on paid-parking policies at the April 6 meeting; councilmembers and staff said they had taken notes and expected further outreach and follow‑up.
