In its search for tax revenue, the Santa Clara City Council has explored new, old and now an untried idea to raise funds for city operations and salaries.
Here’s something that would be new for Santa Clara: How about we install parking meters throughout the city?
Hmmm … when considered on the surface it sounds like a reasonable idea. However, when you get the wrapper off the package, there are more issues than you can count on your two hands and two feet.
Let’s see, the city would have to buy the meters, install and maintain them, pay to have funds collected, pay accountants for bookkeeping. With luck, the city “might” make a profit in the next decade or two.
There are also some existing issues with properties that have already paid the price to mitigate parking issues.
For years, the council debated what to do about what had been “downtown.” The Franklin Mall, which had become downtown by default, and the merchants were asked to step up and make improvements
After the demolition of downtown, as much of the former downtown remained a dusty vacant lot, tenants at the Franklin Mall worked with the city to form a parking district in 1965.
They bought two parcels from the city, formed their own tax district — the Franklin Mall Parking Maintenance District —paved it and have provided off-street parking ever since. In addition, the Franklin Mall Association has maintained the property, repaving and stripping the parking lots, mowing the grass, repairing the fountains without any help from the post office or VTA.
The question of parking meters (a tax) on property that was built and maintained by assessments and contributions from private owners could be illegal. At the least, it would generate a lawsuit, further delaying those parking meters for years. Not to mention the bad will it would generate from the Franklin Mall’s small businesses.
Further, metered parking would send customers to park on residential streets, creating more traffic and congestion on side streets.
There’s nothing worse than a “good” idea that hasn’t been vetted or thoroughly examined before proceeding. Santa Clara already tried that when it demolished its historic downtown. More than 60 years later, Santa Clarans are still living with the consequences.
Previous Milestones:
Milestones – Another Picture – Opinion
Milestones – California Fiscal Sense and Nonsense – Opinion
Milestones – Salute to Our Service Clubs – Opinion
