La Mesa approves paid parking proposal

LA MESA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Changes to La Mesa’s paid parking system are moving forward after city council on Tuesday approved the proposed changes which include higher meter prices.

Starting Jan 1, all 433 meters in the downtown La Mesa Village district will charge $1.50 an hour, up from the current 75 cents or 50 cents, depending on the location.

The La Mesa Community Parking Commission first brought up the idea of changing the paid parking system in July, after which the council provided feedback and told staff to come up with a formal proposal.

The proposal now includes changes to the Parking Permit Program, which is for businesses.

A maximum of five parking permits can be purchased for business employees in designated areas.

Officials say the money would go into the city's parking fund, which is meant to maintain the parking district with power washing, upkeep and holiday decorative lighting.

According to city staff, the parking changes would contribute about $273,000 a year in extra revenue.

La Mesa's paid parking proposal comes after a series of parking changes incorporated in the City of San Diego.

Parking meters will still operate from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. every day expect Sundays and holidays.

In the summer, the city of San Diego extended parking meter enforcement hours by two hours on several streets in Pacific Beach and Mid-City.

Then, in September, parking rates around Petco Park went up to $10 per hour during large events, including Padres games, as part of the city's new Special Event Parking Zone.