This story was on CNet shortly after a local newspaper reported it. I walked down to the ATC and took a few pictures of Pacific Grove’s first ever parking meters. This ain’t like Hooterville I grew up in. There are 5 stoplights in town – all on the same street, Forest Avenue. All the parking downtown is timed, the parking by the beach is also timed. Seems that the meters were installed without some of the proper permitting, causing one citizen to blow the whistle and have the meters covered. But today they operate, and ring up more money.
The meters are installed only on streets surrounding the American Tin Cannery Outlet Mall. One large block consisting of Ocean View, Sloat, Dewey and Eardley. Google Map, click to see. They are also on Ocean view behind Nob Hill Foods, but the city limit is in the middle of the block, when you step over to Monterey, the meters turn to normal.
Sensor wires embedded in road.
The sensor wires are similar to the ones that control traffic signals, wires embedded into the street, feeding a signal to the meters to determine when a car leaves, and then resets the remaining time to zero.
Close up of wiring route
The coin feed side view.
A car with 12 minutes left on the meter pulled away, and it reset, putting it to EXPIRED.
Here’s a whole street of empty spaces
This was taken on Sunday, July 10. We have the MotoGP Motorcycle races in town that should be bringing thousands of visitors. Where are they parking?
Not parking just beyond Dewey Street
After Dewey Street, the ocean side of the road is too narrow and is a resident only permit parking area.
Those in search of free parking are just steps away.
Just after Second Street the parking is free, all it takes is a 2 block walk to the Fish Jail
There’s a trail that takes you to the Aquarium. Stay off the trail at night.
