DEL MAR — Pay-and-display parking machines will soon be expanding to the North Beach, also called Dog Beach, and downtown areas of Del Mar.

With projected annual revenues estimated at $100,000 to $3 million, City Council directed staff at its April 21 meeting to move forward with the planned parking meters. Council members also unanimously agreed public workshops must be conducted to develop a residential parking permit program.

Anita Draa, business development manager from Parkeon, said the benefits of the machines include payment flexibility and time-limit options. “It’s quite a bit different than what you see on your beaches right now,” she said.

Paying with coins or credit cards, patrons can select a desired time limit, eliminating the need to return to feed an expired meter. The machine dispenses a sticky back ticket that attaches to the inside of the windshield, making it more visible to enforcement officers. It can also be used as a receipt.

The machines provide wireless real-time authorization, so no credit card information is stored. Payment can also be made with prepaid “smart” cards, which merchants can customize and give or sell to customers. The cards also provide advertising opportunities.

Although the multispace units are larger than the single-space meters currently used, fewer machines are required — one for every eight parallel parking spaces. Signage wouldn’t necessarily decrease because drivers must be informed about paid parking areas. But existing signs could be reworded to direct people to the pay-and-display machines. Signs could also be installed on top of the units.

The proposed North Beach expansion, which includes 29th Street and both sides of Camino del Mar from 27th Street to the San Dieguito River bridge, could generate about $100,000 per year. Fifty percent of that could be used for the one-time, fixed cost of implementation, said Pat Vergne, community services director for the city.

Staff has not yet determined downtown revenues, Vergne said. The Finance Committee, however, spent six months developing a plan that encompasses a much greater area than what was being discussed. Chairwoman Bettina Experton said when the plan is fully implemented, it could generate $3 million annually. That estimate, which Experton said was less conservative than the staff report, includes income from a residential parking permit program.

Most of the eight residents who addressed council sup-

port the plan. “I’m in favor of

measures that increase our revenue,” Chris Burrow said. “I’m stunned that for four blocks of parking we can generate … $100,000 a year. I might be looking for a couple of other four-block stretches.”

Council received three letters opposing the plan, including one signed by 16 North Beach residents. But resident Dara Chantarit said she supports the meters as they could discourage beachgoers, who willingly risk receiving a $50 ticket from parking illegally in the area.

Councilman Richard Earnest said several attempts have been made to solve the parking problem. “We never seem to get anywhere. We try things,” he said. “It never satisfies anybody. We are viewed by visitors to this town, according to surveys, as being unfriendly. These machines (give) individuals a choice and eliminate a lot of the angst.”

Earnest said parking revenue could be used to maintain services for the 2 million beachgoers who visit every summer. He also noted the machines need not be permanent. “I think if we do this incrementally, it’s not a path we can’t return from. We can take them out.”

Meanwhile, he said, council must “aggressively” develop a residential parking permit program. Councilwoman Crystal Crawford said that will ensure visitors “don’t take every available space on the side streets,” leaving paid parking as the only option for residents and their guests.

Crawford also recommended a grace period once the machines are installed. “We want to do our best to give folks a chance to get used to the change,” she said.