The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About11/7/2023 Item 6a, Galletti Hannah Galletti < To:E-mail Council Website Subject:Comments for Parking Policy Meeting This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond. Hello SLO City Councilmembers, I would like to express my support for the rollback of some of July's changes to the parking policies that are going to be discussed in tonight's meeting. Specifically I am in support of reinstating the free first hour at all parking structures for all visitors and reversing the extension of the enforcement hours. I am also in strong agreement that the parking fee increases implemented in the last several years have been far too significant and out of step with similar markets. I am a SLO resident and I signed up for the locals parking permit as soon as it was available. That program has been confusing to use, but what really creates stress and uncertainty is the "gateless technology" at the 842 Palm Street parking structure. The draw of the parking structures (in addition to the original free hour) has always been not having to know exactly how much time you need to park. Simply paying for your parking session as you leave allows people to relax and enjoy themselves downtown without having to worry about constantly checking an app or having to extend their parking session for fear of getting a ticket. That's the last thing you want to have to think about while enjoying a meal or drinks with friends or while browsing our downtown boutiques. Personally, having to stress about this motivates me to minimize downtown visits and leave as quickly as possible. Since all of these changes were implemented, I've had to cancel my membership at a downtown yoga studio and have hardly visited any downtown restaurants or other businesses. My visits to surrounding towns with easier-to-use and more affordable parking have increased significantly. I hope the council will take all of the public feedback under consideration and re-examine these parking changes. Thank you, Hannah Galletti 1