BEVERLY HILLS—Between the two Beverly Hills parking lot initiatives going to voters for the March 2011 ballot, the City Council has announced its approval for one: a plan giving three hours free for residents that the council created to compete against a plan giving two hours free for the public.

The City Council voted 5-0 in approval of a free three-hour parking resolution for Beverly Hills residents on Tuesday, December 7. It would apply to 12 of the 13 non-metered city-owned lots. On the same day, the council also approved 4-0 on a measure opposing a two hours free initiative sponsored by G&L Realty. This initiative called for two hours of free parking for the general public in 11 of the 13 lots.

Additionally, the G&L-backed initiative is currently being challenged legally by the City Council, which has alleged it is unlawful because it forces the council to enact legislation, rather than be an ordinance in itself. The measure will be on voters’ ballots as long as it is deemed legal; a suit is set to be heard on January 4.

A press release issued by the city states that the three hours free plan would benefit the city, residents and businesses in a collaborative way, generating needed revenue without raising taxes, offsetting the ill effects of budget cuts and the economic recession.

“The Two-Hour Parking Initiative would cost the City up to $1.3 million per year after a devastating period of $27 Million in budget cuts,” said Mayor Jimmy Delshad in the release. “We still have a projected $2 million deficit for next year and have already made a range of cuts including cutting 10 police positions and reducing library hours.”

Proponents of the two hours free plan contend that the city and its businesses would benefit from giving non-residents free parking access, which would lead to greater revenues for businesses and allowing for better competition with neighboring communities.

Currently, seven of the 13 lots offer two hours of free parking before 6 p.m., while five offer one free hour.