Call it
”
parking rage
”
– and it may be brewing in the Mission City.
Call it “parking rage” – and it may be brewing in the Mission City.
Concerned about the availability of parking for the tourists that help stimulate the local economy of San Juan Bautista, the city’s Merchants Association and the Chamber of Commerce will hold a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday to discuss SJB’s parking ordinance.
“Tourists don’t like to have to walk all over town,” said resident Jack Evans, who suggested business owners leave parking spaces for tourists to make the city more “tourist friendly.”
Councilman Arturo Medina said the parking concerns in the downtown district have been overblown, saying availability is limited only during the city’s many festivals.
“I think this is blown out of proportion,” he said. “It’s a problem that comes up more with the festivals than the everyday situation.”
During a recent town hall meeting, concerns were raised about business owners and employees using available downtown parking spaces.
San Juan Bautista City Manager Larry Cain said tourists walk in the downtown district and everything in the city is close by.
“They walk. Walking is good for you. Everything in San Juan is seven minutes away,” he said.
Resident Tony Boch said parking has always been a problem, but the people who complain about it are business owners who park their vehicles in front of their shops.
“Ideally, you want parking in front of everybody’s place. I used to be very careful about parking in front, but what would happen is the kids from restaurants would park there or it would be taken by a non-customer,” said Medina, who is also a local business owner.
Comparing downtown San Juan to other cities, Medina said people go to San Francisco and spend $20 on parking, and still have to walk to visit places.
“They come to San Juan and get free parking,” he said.
Medina said it’s the tourists that keep him in business.
“People come to San Juan and go to the bakery and they get upset if they have to park in front of the bank,” Cain said.
Another issue that has been raised is the city’s one-hour parking ordinance, which, if enforced, could keep tourists away.
“The fine is $100,” Cain said. “That’s money that would be taken away from our sales tax revenue.”
