Supes to consider parking
fees
The Parks Department has recommended that the Santa
Barbara County Board of Supervisors consider charging parking fees at area
beaches and regional parks to help fund various park projects and help reduce
reliance on the general fund for operational and capital costs on an ongoing
basis.
The matter is on the agenda for the May 13 board meeting
at the Santa Maria Hearing Room at Betteravia Center,
shortly after 9 a.m.
In October, the board approved fees for camping and day
use parks but took no action regarding beach and regional
park parking fees.
The beaches slated for new parking fees are Goleta, Arroyo
Burro, Rincon, Lookout, Ocean and Rancho Guadalupe Dunes county parks, and
regional parks affected would be Waller Park, Los Alamos Park, Santa Rosa Park,
Nojoqui Falls Park, Tucker’s Grove Park, Rocky Nook
Park, Manning Park, and Toro Canyon.
“If the Board directs staff to proceed with pursuing beach
parking fees for county parks, the estimated timeline for implementation is
approximately 18 months, given the various public hearings and approvals
required as part of the process (including Park Commission, Planning
Commission, Coastal Commission and Board of Supervisors),” states Parks
Department Director Daniel Hernandez in a press release.
If approved, there would be a 30-day implementation period
from the time the Board approves the fees.
Detailed information on the various fee options and the
resulting revenue will be provided in the May 13 staff report. For more
information, visit http://bos-agenda.sbcgov.net/calendar/#current on the
Internet.