Parking meters near Sawdust Festival off at 7 p.m. again

The Laguna Beach City Council heeded Sawdust Art Festival officials’ concerns, unanimously voting Aug. 5 to reduce parking meter enforcement hours along Laguna Canyon Frontage Road.

The item wasn’t on the agenda, but a few Sawdust executives and artists asked the council to address the matter, which it did by a unanimous vote. The council may discuss an item that is not on the agenda if two-thirds of members agree, City Atty. Phil Kohn said.

Council members then voted 5 to 0 to have city staff to reduce the meters’ cut-off time by two hours, from 9 p.m. back to 7 p.m.

All 107 meters had been changed as of Aug. 8, Deputy City Manager Ben Siegel said.

Sawdust artists said customers weren’t sticking around as long this year because they had to feed the meters.

Sawdust board member and exhibitor Gavin Heath gave an example of a woman who was ready to purchase a piece of art at his booth, but encountered a more-pressing matter.

“I asked her if she wanted it wrapped, and she said, ‘No, I have to go and pay the meter,’” Heath told the council. “The artists are suffering because people aren’t staying in the late hours.”

The time change was part of the city’s parking management plan, strategies designed to reduce congestion and create more-convenient options for motorists.

City Manager John Pietig said during the meeting that Laguna has a variety of parking options. Residents with shopper permits may park for free in the Act V lot and take the trolley, and a $20 summer pass will allow a person to park anywhere.

The city had not issued any citations for expired meters along the frontage road, Siegel said. He added that all meters throughout the city accept credit and debit cards.

Councilman Steve Dicterow said he wondered if drivers were aware of the new hours.

“I’ve been told the meters aren’t clear enough,” Dicterow said. “The way you read where the hours on the meter is dark, and it’s small print, so it’s hard for a lot of people to read what is on the meter.”

Siegel said he understood Dicterow’s concern.

“It can be a challenge to see anything on the meters at night, but that area is lit,” Siegel said. “If you look to the decal you can see the hours. We understand there’s an education component and it takes time to modify behavior.”

The city will report back to the council after the summer on the parking plan and discuss any need for changes.