Creating Parking in the Springs: Where Would You Put It?

Highway 12 is nearing the midway point of its transformation, as County crews work to put in sidewalks along the corridor.

Though better sidewalks mean easier transportation on foot to various locations, the Springs Redevelopment Advisory Committee is worried that the loss of parking – 85 spaces are set to be cut between Boyes Boulevard and Agua Caliente Road – will mean more congestion once Phase II starts implemented.

To solve the parking problem, the RAC has eying various sites to create parking, including the Clemente Inn Property, but because of state-wide uncertainty on the future of redevelopment agencies, they've been blocked from moving forward. 

But in their last meeting, the RAC suggested another solution: creating a parking district, according to the Sonoma Index-Tribune.

A parking district is a defined area in which merchants assess themselves to pay for parking lots and the subsequent upkeep.

Bill Adams, a deputy county counsel working with Public Works, said if there were enough interest among area merchants, it would take six months to a year to set up a district. But he had no idea how much the assessment might be.

So, do you think parking is important enough to take it out of property tax revenue? Are you a business owner who would be affected by this move? And, where would you like the parking to go?