Status of Public Parking in Soquel Village

At one time there was a severe lack of adequate parking in Soquel Village. Parking lots were developed with the County of Santa Cruz Redevelopment Agency (RDA) funds, but by law RDA funds can't be used for operation and maintenance. The Soquel Village Parking Business Improvement Area (SVPBIA) was established in 1989 as a mechanism to operate and maintain the public parking lots.

Since then, SVPBIA Assessment Fees, which have been paid by the businesses in Soquel Village, have been used to operate and maintain the parking lots. That includes sweeping, landscape maintenance, water, lighting, parking enforcement, and periodic seal-coating and re-striping.

Proposition 26 passed in November 2010. This Proposition redefined many fees as taxes, and required 2/3 voter approval for any new tax, tax increase or tax extension. After consultation with legal counsel, it appears that the SVPBIA assessment fees as currently structured could be considered a tax.

No SVPBIA Assessment Fees will be collected for Fiscal Year 2011-2012. There are sufficient fund balances to provide a minimal level of maintenance for one year.

Going forward, a new mechanism must be developed to keep the parking lots available for future use. The mechanism should identify the funding source and who will be responsible for overseeing the operation and maintenance of the parking lots.

Further information and resources:

What is a Maintenance District?

What is an Assessment District?

What is a Benefit Assessment?

What is a Vehicle Parking District

Crafting a Maintenance Assessment District (MAD)

Crafting a New Benefit Assessment

Parking District Formation

Assessment District Formation

Crafting a New Benefit Assessment - Calif. State Parks Planning Div.

Improvement Act of 1911

Municipal Improvement Act of 1913