SSF Council protects parking in BART neighborhoods

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO

The City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Wednesday establishing permit parking in neighborhoods near the city's soon-to-be-opened BART station.

The council passed the ordinance to protect residents from a possible influx of BART commuters parking on city streets near the station. The station will have a 1,000-space lot, but BART may charge a parking fee, spurring commuters to look for a free alternative.

"Based on what has happened in other cities, we anticipate commuters from other cities (trying) to park on our streets," Police Chief Mark Raffaelli told the council.

Under the plan, residents of sections of the Buri Buri, Promenade and Sunshine Gardens neighborhoods can apply for free parking permits. The city will issue the permits in the form of stickers to be affixed to the rear of vehicles.

Non-residents will be limited to three-hour parking within a radius of one quarter to a half-mile around the BART station. The penalty for exceeding the three-hour limit will be $35.

The three-hour limit was chosen because it will allow parking officers time to patrol the neighborhoods, chalk cars and then return to check vehicles and write tickets.

The three-hour limit will also give friends time to visit South City residents, Raffaelli said.

The BART station is scheduled to open in January.