No matter where you go in downtown Palo Alto, it seems everyone is looking for a parking spot. Since most areas only allow two-hour parking many people who work downtown or want to stay longer look to neighborhoods for free spots.
That's about to change.
The city council just passed a Residential Parking Permit Program. Starting in the spring, drivers who want to park for work or extended periods will need a permit.
"We don't really regulate parking anywhere in the neighborhoods, and so this program would begin to regulate parking for people who don't live here,” said Palo Alto Parking Manager Jessica Sullivan.
Residents will receive one free permit to park outside of their home, if they live within the affected boundary. Workers will have to pay $100 to $466 per year depending on their income.
"A lot of the people working [downtown] are working on minimum wage or a bit above, and starting to pay permits for parking in garages is going to be kind of a problem,” said Jonathan Halevi, who works downtown.
Caltrain commuters used to finding a spot in the neighborhoods won't be able to get a permit.
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Instead, they'll have to park in the Caltrain lot.
City leaders say they worked with businesses and employees on the decision. They say it'll ease congestion, and steer drivers towards the largely empty parking garages downtown.
"It would be a good thing, because we'd have less traffic here,” said resident Sylvia Seibert. “Then people over there, they don't really stop at the stop sign, you'd have less of that."
