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    Parking Panel Suggests Maintaining $35 Permit Fee

    By VIC COX

    One of the top suggestions of the Chancellor's Special Advisory Committee on Parking is that the basic monthly permit rate stay at $35 a month for at least an other academic year.
    In a campus forum last Thursday, the advisory committee presented its preliminary analysis of the parking problems facing UCSB employees and some draft recommendations. Represented by Chair Gene Lucas, the panel will do that again today, May 13, from noon to 2 p.m. in the UCen Harbor Room.
    After meeting regularly since Nov. 1, 2001, the committee has agreed, according to its presentation, that based on current information parking supply will drop from today's 5,300 spaces to about 4,500 by 2004. Demand will grow to around 5,700 to 6,000 spaces by 2010. Though the panel expects a short fall of between 1,200 and 1,500 "in the next few years," it concludes that "past estimates of the need for additional structured parking have been exaggerated."
    On the thorny issue of user-financed parking, the panel flatly stated that the University of California should change "its current policy of relying on employees and commuting students." The University benefits from accessible and affordable parking, and it should acknowledge this. "Parking for employees is a primary work-life issue for employees, and an educational access issue for commuting students," the committee concluded.
    The failure of UC to adopt parking as an employee fringe benefit, particularly for faculty, in the 1960s has led to "conflict and a loss of morale throughout UC," the panel observed. In urging a fundamental change it recommended that the chancellor work with other chancellors to alter UC policy. In the meantime, other measures at UCSB can allow a new, $16-million parking structure of some 600 spaces on the east side of campus without raising the basic permit fee, according to the analysis.
    While acknowledging that it had yet to construct solutions for some issues--residence hall parking, differential rates, and alternative transportation policies are examples--the committee proposed keeping the $35 basic permit fee and raising some other rates to help finance the east side structure. The day rate should go to $7, and a night and weekend permit system should be implemented, both by July 1.
    The panel also said the campus, "in recognition that...affordable parking is a work-life issue for many employees/students," should provide additional core funding to Parking and Transportation Services. The new funding should begin at $250,000 a year, also on July 1.

    Valet or stack parking is a short-term means to squeeze more use out of parking spaces.