SF:Buy a Home with a Garage, Stay out of Jail

With typical government logic, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency plans to help close, to quote the Chronicle,  ”a projected $15 million agency deficit next fiscal year and a projected $66 million deficit for 2009-10″ by passing the problem to the public. Again, the agency will raise fees on parking tickets and, this time, on meters as well. Specificallly, 25% of the city’s meters will go up based on peak use times. The Examiner explains: 

The variable-pricing scheme is part of Muni’s SFpark program, a collection of pilot projects that will be implemented this September. Motorists can expect higher hourly rates for meters during peak times in the morning, but summarily less for parking during slower times in the afternoon. A parking meter could charge $3.50 an hour from 8 to 10 a.m., but only $1 an hour from 7 to 9 p.m.

Citations, meanwhile, have gone from ugly to dangerously ugly. First, here’s a look at the new fees:

• Parking meters: Up by 50 cents an hour starting July 2009.
• Monthly Muni Fast Pass: Up to $55 as early as July 2009; up to $15 for discounted passes.
• Parking fines: Parking at expired downtown meters up $10 to $60; up to $50 in neighborhoods.
• Parking in street-cleaning zone: Up to $50.
• Residential parking permits: Up to $76 by 2010.
• Removal of boot clamp: Up to $205 from $75 by this summer.

When I say the new citation rates are dangerous, I don’t mean just to your wallet. In fact, many of those same helmet-wearing ticket officers you love to hate are discouraging the increase- because they fear for their safety. In 2005, there were 17 attacks against SF parking control officers; in 2006 there were 28. The Examiner reports:

 Higher prices for parking citations could raise more than money — it could increase attacks against parking control officers, a group of workers told Muni’s board of directors.

Maybe. But those would-be attackers should know that assaulting an MTA officer is a bad idea, especially since the 2007 passage of a law that increases penalties and fines for those who do.

The best way to avoid all of this vitriol is to buy a home with a garage, an amenity whose praises I have been singing ever since I (and my car) moved to San Francisco ten years ago. With your sanity, bank account (and freedom) in mind, here are a few listings that include that holy grail of city housing: a dedicated, legal place to park your car.

1855 Alabama St., #3: 2/2 TIC flat in Bernal Heights with not one but two parking spots for $619,000.

565 Arguello St., #3: 2/2 Inner Richmond condo, newly constructed with space for one car.

401 Cresent Way, #4409: 1 of 4 for sale in this complex, this in the largest of these Bayview Heights condos. A 3/2 for $736,000, it also offers one parking space.

900 Minnesota St., #S302: Brand new “Homes on Esprit Park” brings you this 1/1.5 loft-like condo for $614,620 (hmm…), complete with parking for one car.

Photo credit: Funny Photos.com