Big Bear News – Big Bear Lake, CA – Update 2/26/22: City staff recently met with several business owners in The Village to discuss the potential implementation of paid parking in The Village. The group engaged in a thoughtful and productive discussion, and City staff are currently working to refine paid parking proposals to present back to the group at a planned meeting in March. If the group reaches consensus, a formal paid parking proposal will be presented to the City Council for review and consideration later this spring.
Depending on the specifics of any ultimately implemented plan, it is estimated that paid parking could generate up to $400,000 annually for Village maintenance expenditures. Discussions to date have contemplated providing free parking for locals and employees (in some form or fashion; multiple options), charging on weekends and holiday periods only, initial free parking for short periods of time, and a phased implementation approach.
Original Story 1/31/2021: City staff are currently exploring various options to implement paid parking in The Village area, and will soon begin outreach to the Village Business Association to review these options. If one or more options prove feasible, a recommendation will likely be presented for City Council consideration in March.
There are more than 800 public parking spaces in The Village, and no parking fees are currently in effect anywhere in The Village. If paid parking is ultimately implemented, it is envisioned that some free parking accommodations will be made for employees of Village businesses and for permanent residents. Depending on how the program is structured, preliminary revenue projections indicate total annual revenues of $300,000 – $400,000, and perhaps more.
It is anticipated that any new parking revenues would be earmarked for maintenance and improvement expenses in The Village, a reduction in General Fund expenses for Village activities, and / or a reduction or elimination of current Village assessment fees.
