Toluca Lake will be getting six new parking meters along Riverside Drive in the coming months to see if they improve parking for store and restaurant owners.
LA City Councilman Tom LaBonge initiated the pilot program because of people that overstay their welcome, which is mostly two-hour blocks as noted by the numerous street signs.
"It's an effort to help businesses create street parking because their isn't adequate parking and no turnover," said Ben Levin-Gesundheit, LaBonge's communications deputy.
He said the test meters would be installed in front of LaBonge's field office on Riverside and eventually garner feedback regarding their effectiveness from nearby entrepreneurs. If the meters are well-received, there could be more of them to come in the near future, said Levin-Gesundheit.
Jonathan Kramer, owner of Mailbox Toluca Lake at 10153 1/2 Riverside Dr., says the issue isn't just customers and diners, but also employees at grocery stores and coffee shops that leave their cars out on the street during their shifts.
"The end result, it's hurting small businesses on Riverside Drive," Kramer said. "Maybe that would resolve the issue if they have to pay for parking."
But some who live in the area think the idea of having parking meters in place is unnecessary or a ploy to generate more revenue for the city.
Patch spoke with Ruth Choudhury, a Burbank resident who lives near the Toluca Lake border, as she was having lunch at Irish pub Timmy Nolan's. She said most people like her respect the allotted parking time and that several restaurants along Riverside offer rear parking.
"If the city believes people are spending more time than the hour they're allowed to … then it's the city's responsibility to get out their ticket guys and ticket people, maybe that's where they can get their revenue," Choudhury said, adding: "Unless [LaBonge] wants to put up paid parking during the evening time when you have people coming out to bars and restaurants, then the only people who are going to be affected are local residents."
Levin-Gesundheit said the allowed parking time and prices have yet to be set for the pilot program meters, but they could likely be similar to that of the meters along Lankershim Bouelvard in the NoHo Arts District.
What do you think about having parking meters along Riverside Drive? Do you think parking is a big issue on that street?
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