North Park, a San Diego community, and the commercial hub of 30th Street

and University Ave. was established in 1912.

Today, 30th Street is still a vibrant commercial hub within a residential community serving as the main thoroughfare from Normal Heights, to North Park,  South Park and Golden Hill. All these communities include a historic mixture of old craftsman and Spanish Revival homes, older and newer apartments, cottages and newer condos.  Families and singles reside in North Park and still form a community rich in both its culture and diversity.  The commercial and residential community has grown into an inviting and eclectic social hub during the last 20 years. The availability of parking on 30th street is vital for businesses, their customers, residents with no onsite parking, and property owners to comply with ADA requirements.

April, 2019 a City-wide bicycle special interest group presented mobility plans to a City Mobility Manager, Councilman Ward, and board members on the North Park Planning Committee.  May 14, 2019 the board voted to recommend, originally called “Option A”, the elimination of all 420 parking spaces on 30th St. between Howard and Juniper AND the center lane.  This was an option Councilman Ward presented, along with two other options, but no options to leave ALL the parking spaces, as is.  The Mayor made his final directive, two days after the meeting, to remove not only the 420 parking spaces and center lane, but requested the "feasibility" of removing an addition 151 spaces and center lane north from Howard to Adams Ave..  Councilman Ward and NP Main Street, have recently promoted "you can have parking and protected bike lanes", using what originally was Option B, a joint use by cars and “protected” bikes lanes.  However they have not mentioned loosing parking spaces and the center lane.    They have not given this plan a name, but it is identical to what originally was called Option B.  They also don’t divulge Option B, is only between Howard and Upas, with removal of 142 spaces out of, currently 258.  And the remainder of 30^th. is not mentioned, so will default to the Mayors “Option A”, removal of all spaces, and central lanes between Adams and Howard, and Upas and Juniper.

The elimination of any parking will result in ;businesses losing customers, overflow parking to adjoining streets, residents with no onsite parking unable to find spaces, and decrease air quality due to cars circling blocks to find parking. Few commuters bike riders now. Vast majority are recreational riders. Current dust raps have been decreased in our transit system to serve people’s needs for their work commute. No accommodation was made for ADA mandates, buses, delivery zones, street sweepers, emergency vehicles, employees, and residents to the 30th St. corridor. There is only one public paid parking garage, at 30^th and North Park Way, serving a vast stretch of 30th St. that reasonably serves the area around it.  It’s unreasonable to think people are going to walk blocks and blocks to their homes or to Adams Ave. area or Juniper Street area.

Mayor Faulconer’s order and Councilman Ward’s recent suggestion, contradicts State and City laws and ignores the public process in various ways.  However, three blocks west is Utah Street, and parallels 30^th Street, it's wider, less traveled, no bus stops, no businesses, and is specified on the SANDAG Master Bike Plan.  There is no “protected bike lane” specified for 30^th Street.  

Save 30^th. Street Parking was formed when the Mayor signed, on May 16, 2019, a Directive to City Staff to proceed with the removal of the parking spaces on 30^th Street,  and center lane. We alerted as many as possible residents, businesses and started collecting legal funds in preparation for litigation . No public process was done.

We have hired land use and environmental attorney, Craig Sherman, APC.  Lawsuit filed on August 13, 2019. He will represent us in court where the non-compliance issues will be presented to a judge. As of 5-15-20 we’re awaiting a court date.

Per Everett Hauser City Mobility Program Manager option A+ leaves 103 parking spaces  from existing 552 with no center lane.       

Proposed with Option A+

Juniper to Upas: 0

Upas to Adams: 103

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO SAVE 30TH. STREET PARKING. 

Please donate to our legal fund.

Mail checks:  C/O Pat Sexton, 3238 Haller ST., San Diego, CA 92104. Payable - CLGA (Center for Local Government Accountability) 501c3 tax deductable. Memo - Save 30th St

Info: Save30thstreetparking@gmail.com 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Save30thStreetParking