Council hears update on paid parking pilot and new residential and employee permit plans

DJ Tirado, public works project lead, briefed the council on the city’s Paid Parking Pilot (live 07/06/2026) and proposed changes to Hawthorne’s residential and employee permit frameworks. The pilot operates on Hawthorne Boulevard and several lots; staff said outreach included an ambassador program with Laz Parking and an online feedback map used during the pilot’s first week.

Tirado described three ordinances staff proposed for council action: an updated Paid Parking and Employee Permit ordinance (Ord. 2267), a Residential Permit Parking program (Ord. 2268) that would define permit districts activated by resident petition, and a framework for Employer Parking Permit Districts (Ord. 2269). Under the proposal, resident districts would be activated after a petition meeting a 67 percent signature threshold; staff said a 75 percent occupancy threshold on overnight surveys is typically used to justify a district. Permits would be digital and tied to license plates; pricing would be tiered (1st permit $25 or free for qualifying low‑income households; 2nd $50; 3rd $200; 4th $500) to discourage excessive street use. A monthly employee virtual permit option for pilot locations was presented at $55 per month (optional). Staff proposed a guest permit at $1.50 per 24-hour period and a special event rate of $40 per day.

Council members and residents raised concerns about religious institutions, churches that hold long services and events, and how those uses would be accommodated. Council asked how staff would verify petition signatures over time given turnover; staff said the activation process includes optional parking studies and staff review, and the new digital system will flag permit overuse. Data privacy and license‑plate reader use were raised; staff acknowledged the concern and said those technology and contract issues would be reviewed with the police department.

Businesses and market organizers asked about affordability and whether employers with large staffs could receive discounts; staff said employer permits are a later-stage framework to manage industrial and employer-dense zones and are not being implemented citywide immediately. Tirado said the city will perform a six‑month after-study of the pilot to evaluate occupancy, spillover and program performance, and return to council for adjustments.

The council began ordinance introductions and set a framework for continued outreach. Several council members urged caution and committed to further community engagement before final adoption.