Rancho Santa Fe Village parking situation improving, according to report

By Joe Tash

A parking survey conducted in the Rancho Santa Fe Village in May shows that the number of cars parked in the Village core area during peak hours has decreased from earlier this year, indicating no “overall parking shortage” exists in the Village.

A report on the latest parking survey was presented to the Rancho Santa Fe Association Board of Directors at its meeting on Thursday, June 7.

The report found that parking totals in May had decreased to a range of 68 to 87 percent, from a range of 75 to 90 percent determined in a January survey. The percentages indicate the number of spaces occupied vs. the number available on different streets in the Village.

The report notes that some streets remain occupied above 90 percent at peak times, but overall, the averages are below the 90 percent threshold, which is considered the indication of a parking shortage.

“Even though some street segments exceeded the 90 percent parking demand threshold, there does not appear to be an overall parking shortage in the Village as a whole,” the report concluded.

Peak demand occurs around lunchtime, according to the report.

The report suggested that the number of cars parked in the Village core may have decreased due a contract with the California Highway Patrol, under which officers ticket cars that violate posted time limits. The survey also found that parking around the Village perimeter has increased, indicating that some people have moved their cars from the central area to outlying areas to avoid citations.

During previous surveys, staff determined there are 471 parking spaces in the Village core area, bounded by the intersection of Paseo Delicias and El Tordo on the east, La Gracia and Linea del Cielo to the west, Avenida de Acacias and La Granada to the north and Via de Santa Fe and La Granada to the south.

The board received the information but took no action, allowing the CHP enforcement program to continue.