Parking fees to increase

Parking fees and annual pass rates are going to increase in Surf City parking structures and lots starting Dec. 1.

The City Council adopted a resolution to change the current parking fees. The resolution was approved with a 5 to 2 vote, with Mayor Pro Tem Cathy Green and Councilman Joe Carchio voting against it.

The council voted to keep the city’s customer and employee validation system, despite’s staff’s recommendation to eliminate it. The council is changing the employee system to increase employee monthly parking passes from $15 to $20 and to raise the day pass rate from 50 cents to $2.

Annual parking passes are going to increase to $150, but the council eliminated the staff suggestion to increase the rate by $10 each year for five years.

The Main Promenade Parking Structure will start offering a flat rate of $5 for customers after 9 p.m.

Bolsa Chica

The council approved a pre-zoning requirement for the annexation of an unincorporated island on the Bolsa Chica Mesa.

The island is under the city’s sphere of influence and is 6.2 acres near Bolsa Chica Street, just south of Los Patos Avenue, referred to as the “Goodell” property.

The city approved a zoning change to make about half the property low-density residential and split the other half between open space and coastal conservation land. The county currently has the land zoned similar to low-density residential.

The pre-zoning is an annexation requirement of the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission, said city Associate Planner Jennifer Villasenor.

Downtown

The city will reopen the public hearing of the Downtown Specific Plan after a request by Green.

The Downtown Specific Plan is a long-range planning document that dictates building and parking specifications and design guidelines. The plan will increase development over the next 20 years.

The motion was approved 4 to 3, with Mayor Keith Bohr and Councilmen Devin Dwyer and Don Hansen voting against it.

“I would to like to reconsider my vote on the Downtown Specific Plan,” Green said.

Green said she wants to lower the density allowances the council approved at its Nov. 2 meeting.

The council overruled the Planning Commission’s recommendation to increase density in larger lots. Developers with three or more lots can put as many as 50 dwelling units per acre, up from the 35 units per acre the commission approved.

City Attorney Jennifer McGrath said the decision to reopen the hearing will reopen the entire plan. The public can speak about any issue of the plan and the council can change any of its previous decisions.

The council is expected to reopen the plan Jan. 19.