San Francisco residents packed a meeting Monday night to voice their opposition to a proposed plan by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) to eliminate free two-hour parking in Cow Hollow and Marina, replacing them with metered spots. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the uproar stemmed from concerns that the plan is a "money grab" and would not resolve the true issue, a need for better parking enforcement rather than eradicating free parking spaces.

Under the SFMTA's proposed expansion, which uses a $1.5 million grant from the Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission, 262 "pay by plate" stations would be installed. Hank Wilson, SFMTA’s policy manager for parking and curb management, claimed that "this is purely about making it easier for people to find parking," as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. The agency maintained that such a change would alleviate congestion by incentivizing visitors to move their vehicles more quickly; however, locals remain unconvinced.

A report from NBC Bay Area further highlights the worries of Cow Hollow business owners, who believe the removal of free parking will harm their operations. One concerned merchant pointed out the adverse impact on businesses and employees who rely on these spaces and are hesitant to work in an area where parking is scarce and regulated.

The agency has emphasized that the plan is not final and is open for public input, with an outreach phase lasting until March. The SFMTA mentioned, no parking spots will be removed in the transition, they are looking to balance the needs of residents with permits and the ability for visitors to stay longer. Some residents, however, like Marina's Amanda Scott, who canceled a trip to Lake Tahoe to attend Monday's meeting, are highlighting enforcement issues rather than capacity as the root of parking frustrations. "I have a phone full of pictures of people parked in front of fire hydrants and driveways," Scott told the San Francisco Chronicle.

On a differing viewpoint, Cow Hollow resident Jonathan Bünemann expressed support for the proposed parking changes, as per the San Francisco Chronicle. Bünemann, serving on the SFMTA’s Community Advisory Committee, sees the change as an advantage for frequent visitors like his in-laws, who currently shuffle their car every two hours to sidestep ticketing. If the proposal passes, they can pay for extended parking time, up to 12 hours.