News:

1. 6/19/2003: 6/19/2003: 6/19/2003: 6/19/2003: 6/19/2003: 6/19/2003: SF Observer interviewed me for an upcoming article.
2. 12/11/2002: Guardian article: "Paradise Lost"
3. 11/15/2003: Gates locked
4. DMV office manager: Evangeline Grant, 1377 Fell, S.F. (415) 557-3168 (or 1313?)

1. DMV was having problems with cars left in lot
2. Because it's a state facility, the CHP needs to be there to tow cars, but they have more important things to do Mon @ 6am.
3. DMV is also now open on some Saturdays
4. DMV cannot actually give permission to park (liability)

Argument for use:

• DMV has caused increased traffic in neighborhood, we can expect something back
• ..puts community at risk with inexperienced drivers being tested. [ramona] [dave: they might have accident data that will show that there isn't much risk?]
• DMV lot used to be a safe practice spot for driving - where do they go now? [ramona] [dave: I thought the DMV didn't want practicing in it's lot?]
• The DMV is on public land
• DMV presents an institutional component in a residential/commercial area which hurts Property values
• Ramona: When the older person sells the home where I rent a garage then I, another older person, will be looking for parking on the street. My ability to walk blocks is compromised by arthritis, making the potential to stay in my neighborhood of 30 years in doubt. If I lived in other neighborhoods I would have no option but to be forced to move when a rich resource for parking is across the street does not make sense.
  All older persons in the neighborhood need any convenient parking for health and stamina preservation and all residents need convenient parking for safety reasons. I have enjoyed entertaining in my home for the almost 30 years we have resided there. Friends rely on the DMV for after hours parking so that I can entertain in the evening and on the weekends/holidays. If friends, aging as I am, cannot park safely and easily in the neighborhood, I will lose that companionship, an important contribution to my quality of life.
• The DMV needs to be socially responsible to its neighbors, sharing a valuable resource it owns yet paid for by taxpayer dollars, including residents in the neighborhood. [ramona]
• Albertsons had to negotiate with the community and make commitments to address some of the neighborhood needs in order to get its permits. Why would we not ask the same of an entity that is funded by tax payer support and has a real estate presence in the community? The community absorbs increased traffic and receives no reciprocal benefit of its presence. [ramona]
• Also - the DMV did not do due diligence before going to its barrier decision. The days/times of business are not posted on their big signs on the streets. One has to park the car and then go up to the front door to determine this information. For the DMV to take this action without dialogue with the community and without trying something making information about hours more public is arrogant. [ramona]

Possible solutions

• Have CHP clear the lot earlier, like 2 or 4am. Clearly post signs as to when the towing occurs (but not specifically "allowing" for after-hours parking) [dave]
• Get the rules changed so that DMV can clear lot without CHP. [tys]

Possible tactics:

• Push separation of church/state issue. [dave: I don't think this will help - I'm under the impression that the church solution applies to any organization that is willing to man the lot - which doesn't help our cause]
• Petition (either online or door-to-door)? [dave: I believe that online petitions are largely ignored by policy-makers]

• Liability insurance is provided
• A church contact person is designated fro responsibility for ensuring adherence to agreement
• A designated person is responsible for picking up and delivering gate key to DMV after each use
• The lot is monitored while in use
• The lot is left clean after use
• All vehicles are out of the lot after use
• The lot is entered via Broderick Street
• The entrance is monitored while gate is open
• The gate is locked during and after worship services