Traffic committee discusses parking pressure, grant-funded pilots and outreach to prepare for growth

Committee members spent substantial time discussing citywide parking pressures and possible policy responses, including targeted pilot projects and grant-funded infrastructure.

Cynthia Quinones, traffic safety chair, said the committee should be proactive ahead of anticipated growth in corridors slated for higher density and suggested researching grants (including environmental and EV-grant opportunities) and convening two public hearings: one focused on businesses and one for residents. She proposed compiling examples from neighboring cities and drafting a proposal for pilot programs that might include time-limited permits, managed parking, or city-owned parking structures built by private operators.

Members referenced experiences in Chula Vista and San Diego, noting both permit-management changes and controversies there. Rafael Patero remarked that parking in National City "is getting crazy," a concern echoed by other members who said nighttime parking saturation and new accessory dwelling units could intensify demand. Staff said processing for handicap-parking requests is currently backlogged — roughly six months — and agreed to check pending applications for completeness.

The committee also discussed moving its meeting start later in the afternoon (around 4–5 p.m.) to improve resident participation and agreed to check availability with absent members and staff before formally changing the schedule. Members asked staff to assemble research on grant opportunities, pilot models and potential outreach formats.