Stop Removal of All Parking Along 30th Street - Help Us Protect Our Investments

By Diane Strum

More than ever before it seems like rental owners are being punished by lawmakers for providing housing for those who cannot afford to purchase homes or choose not to. At all levels of government, onerous legislative proposals make it riskier, less desirable, and more expensive to own rental housing, especially for small independent owners who invested to help afford retirement.

But what happens when government decisions are made that do not come up for a vote and are implemented with no due diligence, opportunity for public involvement or effort to explore the impacts their decisions would have. Such is the case in North Park where former Mayor Kevin Faulconer and City Councilman Chris Ward listened to special interest groups—bike riders.

Consequently, they decided that to help “meet climate control mandates,” protected bike lanes should be implemented on both sides of the street all along 30th Street--from Normal Heights through North Park to South Park. To accommodate the protected bike lanes, all street parking is to be removed. Mayor Todd Gloria also supports this plan.

A group of local North Park residents, rental housing providers and businesses are spearheading an effort to stop the removal of street parking along 30th Street. Rental housing owners in the area, most of whom are independent owners, are concerned with the impacts this will have on their residents and their ability to rent units. The vast majority of the rental properties rely on street parking and have no onsite parking for their tenants.

This plan disregards the legitimate needs of the residents and businesses in the area. Buses, emergency vehicles, trash, deliveries, U.S. Mail, and ridesharing vehicles will be forced to stop in traffic lanes, causing congestion and confusion. Meanwhile, the vast majority of the proponents of removing parking to accommodate protected bike lanes want it for recreational purposes.

The irony is that three blocks west is Utah Street that parallels 30th Street. It is wider, less traveled, no bus stops, no businesses, and is specified on the SANDAG Master Bike Plan. However, lawmakers and bike advocates refuse to consider Utah Street as a viable alternative.

We need your help.

Q: What can you do to support the preservation of 30th Street parking?

A: Save 30th. Street Parking has hired a local land use and environmental attorney and a lawsuit was filed in August 2019. He will represent us in court when this matter is presented to a judge. Help us by contributing to our legal fund. Visit our Donate page at www.save30thstreetparking. org.

B. Send letters and make phone calls to our representatives to express opposition to this plan:

Todd Gloria - Mayor mayortoddgloria@sandiego.gov (619) 236-6330

Joe LaCava - District 1 joelacava@sandieog.gov (619) 236-6611

Jennifer Campbell - District 2 jennifercampbell@sandiego.gov (619) 236-6622

Stephen Whitburn - District 3 stephenwhitburn@sandiego.gov (619) 236-6633

Monica Montgomery Steppe - District 4 CD4News@sandiego.gov (619) 236-6644

Marni von Wilpert - District 5 marnivonwilpert@sandiego.gov (619) 236-6655

Chris Cate - District 6 chriscate@sandiego.gov (619) 236-6616

Raul Campillo - District 7 raulcampillo@sandiego.gov (619) 236-6677

Vivian Moreno - District 8 vivianmoreno@sandiego.gov (619) 236-6688

Sean Elo Rivera - District 9 seanelorivera@sandiego.gov (619) 236-6699

Apartment owners, property management companies and realtors in the area, please get involved in this effort to protect residents, businesses, and owners from this ill-conceived plan.

Lastly, if you are interested in receiving updates on this vital campaign to protect our investments, e-mail dianestrum@earthlink.net