RANCHO SANTA FE — A parking survey was recently conducted by the Planning Committee to determine the turnover rate of vehicles parked in the village, to discover whether changes in patterns have occurred and to evaluate the effectiveness of existing timed parking programs along Paseo Delicias and Via de Santa Fe.

At the May 16 Association meeting, it was said that more input was needed by local merchants about how existing timed parking rates are affecting businesses.

According to Associate Planner Liz Avalon, a hand-delivered letter was distributed to all merchants and there were responses from several. Based upon the feedback, the Planning Committee revised its recommendations to the Association, which were:

— “Remove all unofficial green curbs in the Rancho Santa Fe Village.” Several merchants in the village painted the curbs green themselves to prevent vehicles from long-term parking in front of their businesses.

— “Remove the 1-hour timed parking from the west side of Via de Santa Fe between Paseo Delicias and La Flecha and replace it with 2-hour parking.”

— “Add a 2-hour timed parking zone on the north side of El Tordo between Avenida de Acacias and the curb cut in front of the building located at 6030 El Tordo.”

Even though the board approved the recommendations, the problem lies with enforcement. “What good are these recommendations if our ability to enforce them is inadequate?” Director Bill Beckman asked. Most members of the board said they felt that parking tickets are seldom issued and that people violating parking restrictions know this. Many park all day in a two-hour zone knowing the chances of being ticketed are slim.

“How can we better enforce this?” Vice President Bob Spears asked.

According to Association Manager Pete Smith, the enforcement lies in the hands of the county. “The Sheriff has the ability to issue tickets and the Highway Patrol,” Smith said. It was agreed by board members to put pressure on the county to beef up enforcement.

The board also suggested having volunteers put pressure on the community by marking tires, placing signs on cars, even tying balloons to flag overparked vehicles. “If the word gets out (that parking tickets are being issued), they’ll stop,” Director Kim Higgins said.

In other Association news, Chief Financial Officer Steve Comstock brought up the issue of unpaid Association dues. “I have the unpleasant item of placing liens and suspending membership of those who have not paid their Association dues,” Comstock said. Despite repeated efforts to collect delinquent assessments for the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the Association still has a list of those who have yet to pay. The board approved authorizing the recording of liens and suspension of membership against the Covenant property owners identified on the current list. Treasure Iris Jones asked if they were chronic late payers, which Comstock said they were. “In the past we’ve found that once the teeth come out, the checks come in,” Comstock said.