by Kevin Cody
The Hermosa Beach City Council agreed 5-0 Tuesday night to reconsider issuance of guest parking permits to residents in the parking district west of Morningside and Loma drives. Parking permits allow free parking at roughly 1,500 yellow meters on Hermosa Avenue and neighboring streets.
Guest permits were discontinued under a new parking district policy approved by the council last February.
Under the new policy residents are eligible for a maximum of three permits for cars registered in Hermosa.
At Tuesday’s council meeting, over 50 residents protested in person, and through online comments, about the discontinuation of guest passes. Residents said the passes are needed for visiting family, friends, caretakers and workers.
Councilmember Mike Detoy motioned to direct staff to prepare a report with options for restoring guest parking permits.
Councilmember Rob Saemann seconded the motion, but said, “Not everyone who lives in the parking district should be eligible for a guest pass. Maybe they should only be issued under certain circumstances.”
If guest passes are approved, they will not be available until after the guest passes issued last year expire on October 15, City manager Suja Lowental told the council. ER
