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Dana Point Boaters Association eNewsletter
Thursday, February 27, 2020
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New Boater Parking Management System
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If
you've visited your boat in our harbor this week, you've probably seen the new parking systems being installed at the entrances
and exits
to our boater parking lots. Here's what we know, what we suspect and our position on the matter.
Dana Point Harbor Partners' stated goal with the new parking control systems is to replace the aging and failing old parking control system with new technology and bring greater control over boater parking. The primary objective, we're promised, is to prevent unauthorized use of boater parking and maximize space for legitimate slip tenants. In this regard, we applaud and support the effort. But there's more...
These new machines sure look like they issue tickets and accept credit cards, suggesting that someone will be paying for parking. But who? We are assured that Dana Point Harbor slip tenants (that is, your name is on the slip license agreement) and their immediate families will never pay for parking. We will be issued up to four transponders that will be adhered to our vehicles and will automatically let us in and out of boater parking. But what about everyone else? Our friends and extended family? Boat mechanics and washers?
First, let us clarify what we support and where we draw the line... One of DPBA's core objectives since our founding has been to protect boater parking from interlopers and others that have no business in our recreational marina parking. Those of us that have been around a while will recall that this used to be a big problem and a continuing sore spot for boaters. DPBA fought hard, and in collaboration with the merchants and harbor management, we achieved success in protecting our dedicated parking. There has rarely been a day in recent years where boater parking is saturated, even on peak holidays. Other than congestion accessing or leaving the island for big events (4
th
of July, Holiday Parade), we haven't received a complaint about parking in years. In that regard, any effort to continue to protect boater parking for boaters should be applauded and supported. Of course, we don't enjoy our boats alone -- we invite friends and extended family to spend time with us.
Our guests have never paid for parking and they never should
. There is no indication so far that marina management plans to charge our guests to park. Nonetheless, we have preemptively made our position clear to Dana Point Harbor Partners that we will strongly oppose any parking management plan that results in our invited guests paying for parking. Additionally, any new fees charged to those that service our boats (mechanics, washers, and so on) should not be so exorbitant to cause undue charges passed along to boaters. In a nutshell,
the new parking management plan must not impose new costs on the boater experience
.
Another affect of this new system relates to a matter we've given attention to for many years... prohibited slip transfers. There has long been a not-so-secret market in acquiring slips off the waitlist by concealing boat sales behind LLCs and other partnerships in violation of marina regulations. For years we have urged harbor management to improve their enforcement of the waitlist and slip transfer rules to ensure equal, fair and transparent access to boat slips. The new parking management system will aid in this endeavor. Parking tags will be issued only to slip tenants of record and permitted only on vehicles registered in tenant names (or their immediate family members). Boaters who acquired their slips through prohibited transactions and are not named on their slip license agreements will not be issued parking permits. We realize this won't be popular with some of our boaters who occupy their slips in this manner, but we support continuing efforts to eradicate prohibited slip transfers that undermine the waitlist and fair access to slips.
Dana Point Harbor Partners assures us that details on their parking management plan will be distributed soon. We believe they are targeting an implementation date for some time in April or thereabouts. In the meantime, the parking arms will remain up. As we learn more, so will you.
Thank you for your continued support.
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And finally this... Your DPBA leadership team is committed to protecting and advancing the interests of our Dana Point boating community. We are your voice on all matters affecting our harbor. But we only succeed with your support. Your attention, input and moral support most of all. But also financial support. It takes very little to fund what we do, but it's not free. Every dollar counts. If you can spare $10, $25, $50 or $100 to the cause, it goes a long way to keeping us on track, please
click here to donate! Thank you.
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