LAMORINDA WEEKLY | After failed pilot employee parking program, Orinda opens spaces to commuters


Map of proposed area.

Owing to the low response to the pilot employee parking scheme along the east side of Santa Maria Way and Altarinda Road, the city has decided to offer 25 all-day parking permits to commuters, particularly those who use the Orinda BART station. There are 46 parking spaces in the pilot area, so there will still be parking available for local employees who might still like a permit.

The city would have liked to restrict the commuter parking permits to Orinda residents, but determined that wasn't legally permissible. Under the new pilot program, permits will cost $300 per each six-month period, except for the first period of January through June, which may be prorated. A permit is like a hunting license; it is no guarantee of actually finding a space. However, with the slow take-up on the employee parking permit pilot-only two permits have been issued-there is a very good chance that permit holders will find all day parking conveniently located across the pedestrian bridge from the BART station.

This latest effort is part of the city's response to a parking study Orinda received in October 2016. The first part of the response to that study was the residential parking permit program for Brookwood Road. After a successful first year, the Brookwood Road pilot program was adopted on a permanent basis.

To be eligible for a permit, applicants must have a driver's license, car registration in the applicant's name, and self-certification of eligibility as a commuter. The pilot permit program will be administered by TurboData, the same company that runs the Brookwood Road program. There will be an application portal on the City of Orinda web page.