Committee recommends FY2027 parking fee changes, approves one‑year Lot 2 discount

At its April 9 meeting the Downtown Parking Committee recommended a package of FY2027 parking fee schedule changes to city council and approved a one‑year discounted monthly permit rate for Lot 2.

Staff outlined housekeeping edits (moving refuge‑enclosure fees to Sustainability & Resilience, deleting a fee for a removed lot, removing an unused EV charging station fee and correcting a proration error) and small rate adjustments. Notable proposals included lowering the Helena (self‑service) lot daily maximum to $15 and raising the parking violation fee to $30 to align with waterfront rates. The Greyhound long‑term rate was proposed to increase from $10 to $15 per day. Staff reiterated that flagship holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s and Easter) would remain free of parking charges.

On temporary outdoor dining, staff proposed extending the existing $2 per square‑foot monthly fee that previously applied to on‑street parklets to the sidewalk dining areas created under the State Street promenade pilot, noting the interim Title 31 authorization for that pilot expires at the end of the calendar year or when the master plan is adopted.

The largest discussion focused on monthly commuter permits and a staff proposal to extend a low $70/month Ortega garage rate to Lot 2. Staff estimated dropping Lot 2’s permit from the current $165 to $70 would reduce annual revenue by about $70,000; staff said the parking program currently has roughly a $96,000 cushion in the budget. Committee members debated affordability for employees versus fiscal prudence. Committee member Cohen said he opposed reduced pricing given low reserves, while Committee member Libri supported a discount and suggested a one‑year trial or targeted approaches.

After discussion Chair Newkerk moved — and Committee member Libri seconded — a recommendation to council to adopt the staff‑proposed FY2027 fee schedule with one modification: a one‑year Lot 2 discounted monthly rate set at $95 for existing and new Lot 2 monthly permit holders (the motion applied the discounted rate across Lot 2). The motion passed on a committee voice vote.

Staff also provided example calculations for sidewalk dining: a typical 20‑foot by 9‑foot parklet at $2 per square foot would cost about $360 per month. Staff said sidewalk brick repair and major maintenance are funded from Measure C; routine cleaning is provided under contract by the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association and some services come from the general fund.

The committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to city council for final action.