Pay Up to Park

On July 12, the Del Mar City Council unanimously adopted a new ordinance to declare certain private property open to public parking and added a parking-meter zone on the 1400 block of Maiden Lane. The ordinance came about after property owners requested the City’s assistance in regulating parking areas being used by the general public.

According to city staff, representatives from St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Ocean Windows Condominiums HOA, and Union Bank — which are all located around Maiden Lane — had contacted the City regarding the frequent misuse of their private parking lots. Staff concurred that despite the posting of signs restricting parking, the lots have been subject to illegal parking.

One city staff member reported that he witnessed the abuse of Ocean Windows' parking over the Fourth of July weekend. Non-permitted vehicles would gain entry into the private lot by following resident vehicles through a security gate, he said.

The City is expected to install up to 22 parking meters near St. Peter’s and will also begin to enforce parking regulations in the nearby non-metered private-parking areas. Revenue generated from the parking meters will be shared with the church.

Resident Bill Michalski spoke during public comment to endorse the ordinance: “I think it’s a clever idea. It fills a need for both parties and I believe it will keep people a little more honest…. I see some good here…. I think the revenue stream can’t hurt.”