By Miriam Raftery
May 27, 2026 (La Mesa) – La Mesa City Council members voted unanimously last night to ask staff to analyze four proposed options to increase parking in the downtown village. The proposals came after Councilmember Laura Lothian, Vice Chair Lauren Cazares and a parking commission rode through downtown in a golf cart, looking for hidden spaces that could be converted to parking.
“Downtown La Mesa is having a good problem,” said Lothian, who added that due to increased popularity, the village has become more crowded, so finding parking has become more challenging. With new apartments under construction and expected to add to the parking problem, many residents have also called for more parking.
Adding a parking garage would cost millions of dollars and is unaffordable, says Lothian. Instead, she and Cazares have proposed five options to better utilize existing space. If some or all of the options are approved, approved, they could add between 15 and 100 new parking spaces at minimal cost, according to Lothian.
Those options are:
- Reduce the red curb on Allison Ave just west of Coin Haus (8361 Allison Ave) to increase metered spaces. Only 14 feet of red curb are required by state law; removing 75 feet could create four new parking spots for vehicles.
- Convert the loading zone in front of Turpin and Rattan (4719 Palm Ave) – approximately 50′ of unnecessary white curb – to standard metered parking. (a business with a parking lot) to create two to three new spaces.
- Relocate the five La Mesa metal bike sculpture racks from La Mesa Boulevard to adjacent sidewalks, positioned at sidewalk edges to maintain clear pedestrian flow. The vacated areas would be restriped as dedicated golf cart parking. If approved, La Mesa would be the first city in San Diego County with dedicated golf cart parking.
- Remove the trees behind Pete’s Place (frontage at 8330 La Mesa Blvd), then grade, pave, and stripe the approximately 1,700 sq ft of space for an estimated five to six additional parking spaces. To retain the same number of trees in La Mesa, five trees could be planted elsewhere.
- Paint parking T’s on all Downtown streets within the boundaries of Allison Ave (north), Spring Street (west), 4th Street (east), and Fresno Ave (south). The number of spaces gained is unknown but anticipated to add one or two spaces per block.
Lothian notes that golf carts are a popular transportation trend that is growing, but carts are taking up spots that could be used by cars if the city had spaces specifically for golf carts. She also proposed dedicated motorcycle parking spaces.
Lothian has publicized the ideas on social media. The only one that’s drawn resistance is removing five trees. She noted that as a Tree City USA participant, La Mesa manages 10,700 trees including 6,700 on city streets. She voiced hope for support if the five trees can be removed and five new ones planted in another location.
“I want our staff to be innovative and have a spirit of `Let’s do something creative,’” Lothian said, calling the proposals “common sense.”
The proposal includes only the portion of downtown east of Spring Street. But Lothian said, “We will come back later with the west side.”
Vice Mayor Cazares voiced support for temporary fixes to increase parking, adding support to also “work toward the future and build a city that I hope is less car dependent, has more bicycles, and is more pedestrian friendly.”
Cazares said adding more spaces is “crucial for our businesses,” noting that most are small businesses owned by La Mesans.” She also expressed a goal to work to bring in more people to La Mesa, such as by expanding trolley service. She called the proposed parking additions a “brilliant” idea.
Asked about the loading zone proposed for removal outside Turpin and Rattan, Lothian said she asked at the business and was told the loading zone was there before the company moved in. “They also do have a private parking lot,” she said, “and it is one-half block from curbside restaurants and retail shops. I drive by every day and it’s always empty,” she said of the area proposed for metered parking spaces.
Councilmember Genevieve Suzuki, who visits the village with her mother, noted that accessibility is important. “A lot of us are sandwich generations,” she said. She added that she loves the idea of parking trees, wants to be sure bike racks are saved, but likes the idea of stenciled golf cart and motorcycle parking spots. She wants to know why the long red curb on Allison Avenue was put there to begin with. She also wants to find ways to encourage more people to take the trolley into the village, especially during Friday farmers’ markets.
A financial advisor who owns a business in La Mesa Village voiced pride in La Mesa’s walkable community, but added, “Definitely one of the biggest challenges we have is parking.” He said his clients must assess parking availability in deciding when to visit his office and that his family has sometimes had to circle for blocks to find parking when coming downtown for dinner. He voiced support for the “creative and thoughtful approach” to increase parking, adding, “As a regular motorcycle rider, I would really appreciate having dedicated spaces for tmotorcycle parking.”
He added, “All of this will create a more robust and welcoming downtown experience,” adding, “Where our businesses thrive, the entire community benefits. La Mesa truly is the jewel of the hills, so I say let’s make this easier for people to experience it.”
Lothian moved to asked staff to analyze the proposals and return with recommendations within 60 days.
The motion passed unanimously.