A controversial proposal to increase fees for Hermosa Beach residents and their guests parking in some of the beach town's most crowded neighborhoods has been postponed indefinitely by the City Council.
The plan to increase permit fees for the city's preferential parking program would have raised the resident parking permit fee to $100 for the first permit, $100 for the second permit, $200 for for the third permit and $300 for each additional permit. Guest permit fees would have increased to $300.
Permits for residents and their guests are currently $40.
City officials said the decision stemmed from a need to curb the area's parking problem, rather than to raise revenue for the city.
City Hall was flooded with nearly 200 e-mails protesting the possible fee increase, and scores of residents attended Tuesday's city council meeting to speak out against the proposal.
"In no way was it ever our intention to increase taxes on any of you as residents of this city," said City Councilman Patrick "Kit" Bobko. "I believe as a state and as a city we are taxed to the gills. This was not something was intended. I am pleased, in kind of a strange way, that all of you took the time to come down here tonight to exercise your rights. It shows that the process does work and we heard you."
In addition to not raising the permit fees, the City Council also voted to delay discussing a proposal to increase fees for one-time driveway parking permits and daily passes. A proposal to prohibit permits to vehicles registered out-of-state also awaits the council's discussion.
The preferential parking program includes the city's "sand section" and stretches from the norther tip of the city to the southern end, bound by the Strand to the west and Loma and Morningside Drive to the east. Parking spaces on the west of Cypress Avenue between 11th Street and Pier Avenue are also included.
Look for a full story in Thursday's Daily Breeze.
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