West Hollywood may extend some parking meter hours to midnight

The era of free parking in West Hollywood continues to tick away.

After months of negotiation, the city's transportation commission on Monday approved a recommendation to the City Council that would extend the hours of most parking meters in the 1.9-square-mile city.

Officials have said the change in policy would be a way to reduce congestion and increase street parking availability in an area that's traditionally been a nightlife hub. The recommendation comes on the heels of similar changes in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and the city of Los Angeles.

The commission is to give the recommendation to the city at the Dec. 3 council meeting. According to the city, the following changes would take place sometime next year if the recommendation passes:

Meters would run until midnight along Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega Boulevard and Doheny Drive, as well as other north-south streets in that area.

On Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega and Fairfax Avenue, as well as other north-south streets in that area, meters would charge until 10 p.m. The exception in that area would be meters on Melrose Avenue between La Cienega and Croft Avenue, which would run until midnight.

From Fairfax to La Brea Avenue, meters along Santa Monica Boulevard and La Brea would charge until 8 p.m.

Nearly all city meters would begin charging between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Sundays, with the exception of sections of Fairfax, parts of La Brea and a few smaller streets on the city's east side.

If the recommendation passes, the city will net an estimated $1 million. That money has already been included in this year's budget to pay for more private security patrols and additional sheriff's deputies, who serve as the city's police.

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-- Laura J. Nelson

Photo: West Hollyhood is considering a proposal to extend hours on nearly all its parking meters -- some until as late as midnight.  Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times