BRIEF: City drops parking permit bill

An amendment to a City Council bill that would have given University students special parking privileges in residential permit areas was dropped yesterday. Without the permit, which would have cost $20 per semester, parking is limited to two hours. "The authors of the bill introduced several amendments," said Pedro Rodriguez, legislative director for City Council Chairperson of Streets and Services Committee Dan McElhatton. "They received complaints from residents of the neighborhoods that would be affected by the bill." Rodriguez explained that residents of the areas that would have been affected already have trouble finding parking spaces. The underlying argument still remains that students live in the area and often have trouble finding parking spaces. "I understand the students' point of view," said Councilperson Happy Fernandez. She added that despite this, she is opposed to the bill because she believes permit parking should be reserved for permanent residents only. -- Christopher Pryor