The Parking Space Debate in San Diego

Parking has been making lots of news in San Diego lately.

In North Park, business owners and people who live there are protesting the city’s plan to eliminate about 450 parking spaces along a stretch of the 30th street business district. The city plans to install protected bike lanes along a 2 and ½ mile stretch that will reduce the number of parking places that people use when they go to stores, businesses and restaurants to only 100.

And the city council also is about to approve a plan to allow many businesses all over the city to get rid of parking spots so stores can use them for more retail space and so restaurants can use them for more outdoor dining, an outgrowth from the allowances made during the COVID restrictions om businesses.

But critics say fewer places to park could lead to shoppers shopping somewhere else and residents say it could lead to more people parking in their neighborhoods and using spaces they use.

Those at city hall say fewer parking spaces will encourage use of mass transit, help the city meet climate change goals and make things safer for bicyclists while giving businesses a chance to expand.

The pandemic may be winding down but it may have inadvertently led to a spreading controversy over what to do about parking.

(Photo - reporting partner 10News)