Council Fears Car 'Overflow' From Westfield Parking Fee Increase

Feeling snubbed by the city after it approved Westfield Century City's plans to eliminate free parking with what they say was not enough input from the community, Westwood Neighborhood Council members are now calling for more outreach on similar projects in the future.

Members approved a motion Wednesday night opposing the city process that led to the elimination of free parking at the mall.

"This action was taken with no meaningful notice or input from the surrounding communities," the motion stated.

The mall officially ditched its three-hour free parking policy this month after the Los Angeles Planning Commission gave Westfield its stamp of approval in August.

Increased fees are being implemented in part to help offset the cost of a new $30 million parking garage at the mall.

The motion describes the council's concern that pricier parking fees could cause "an overflow parking effect on surrounding neighborhoods." Members urged the city to expand its outreach the next time it's faced with a similar project.

"In the future, when the city is processing a project with a potential regional impact, we urge the city to reach out to all surrounding neighborhoods and provide them with both meaningful notice and an opportunity for input regarding the project," the motion said.

The council voted to submit the passed motion as a working draft to the Westside Regional Alliance of Councils' Land Use and Planning Committee, hoping the issue will eventually come before the full board of directors.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our newsletter | Blog on Patch