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Santa Cruz, Calif.- Erica Olsen has lived in Beach Hill in Santa Cruz for 4 years now. And she has had to deal with her fair share of parking woes. "The tricky part to that is that difficult period during the summer time, where we have to play musical cars," said Olsen.
And if new restrictions are approved Erica and her roommates will have to play that game all year long.
Later this week the city of Santa Cruz will discuss the impact that the Warriors stadium will have on the city. Part of that discussion includes changes to parking. Right now to park in Beach Hill, you need a residential permit between the dates of May 15 to September 20, but if Beach Hill residents approve, that permit will be required all year long.
Since no parking is being provided at the Warriors stadium, Basketball fans will have to park on the streets of Santa Cruz. Which is why the planning commission is proposing extending the restrictions for these Beach Hill parking spots to all year long. Some residents don't mind the year long restrictions, but residents like Erica aren't convinced it will make parking easier.
For Downtown businesses however, these parking changes comes as good news.
"They're going to be walking around Downtown Santa Cruz because the parking is going to be spread around. Its going to have a positive impact for sure for businesses downtown," said K. C. Venemon.
K. C.'s sports bar is currently under construction but he hopes to open its doors by November. And while he understand restricting parking can seem like a bad idea for some, overall it will only bring good news to the community.
"Foot traffic can only do good things to Santa Cruz. It will definitely help clean up what's happening," said K. C.
