Published October 30th, 2019
Orinda trials employee parking permits
By Sora O'Doherty
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With no negative comments, and only support from the public, the Orinda City Council adopted a resolution establishing a pilot program for employee permit parking on the east side of Santa Maria Way from Orinda Way to Altarinda Road and on the east side of Altarinda. The district will be known as "Altarinda."
Permits will last for six months, and will cost $82, which works out to slightly below $14 per month. There will be no limit on the number of permits issued, and permit holders will not be entitled to a guaranteed space. It is anticipated that not all permit holders will require parking at the same times. There will be 46 spaces available under the pilot program. Currently, without the permit program, parking is limited to four hours and there are only 10 cars parked there on average, according to the staff report. Staff requested that the permit pilot program begin in early January, but in response to positive public comments, Council Member Nick Kosla urged that it be put in place as soon as possible, perhaps in time for the holiday season.
Rochelle Latimer served on the Parking Task Force in 2016. She told the council that parking in private lots isn't the best alternative for employees, and applauded the fact that the permit fee is below market rates, as compared to Theatre Square or #2 Bates Blvd. Juliet Dawn also praised the resolution, which would make better use of space currently under-utilized by the Orinda Union School District. She pointed out the advantages of the Altarinda district: the location is not residential, but has sidewalks and lighting, and it is convenient to both the theater district and the village.





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