A proposed parking rate increase affecting residents of downtown and university neighborhoods met with much criticism and some sighs of relief yesterday at a public hearing.

The proposal would force residents to pay $12 ÷up from $2.50 ÷ annually for the parking permit that allows them to park in the streets in front of their houses. An increasing rate estimated to reach $36 by 2008 would provide for better enforcement, the Park Wise team oversight committee said at the hearing.

Park Wise is a self-supporting residential parking program established in 1997.

Overflow parking problems from the UA were identified by all as one of the main reasons residents frequently don't have a place to park.

"If it weren't for the university, we wouldn't have this problem," said Joan Cox, an 86-year-old resident that lives near the Arizona Health Sciences Center.

Cox, who said she only lives off Social Security, opposes the increases. Increased funding for the program would provide for heightened enforcement that the committee said neighborhoods are asking for.

John Schwarz, a long-time resident of Sam Hughes neighborhood, said that the program has been "a godsend."

"It's transforming our neighborhood from, basically a parking lot, into a neighborhood again," he said.

Parking rates have not increased since the beginning of the program in 1997. But committee members said that the increases are necessary because of higher costs. Residents argue that the increase is too much too soon, and that the committee should have gradually increased the permit's price.

Most residents living near the university said they don't blame university students for parking on their streets. But most agree parking problems exist because students are unwilling or unable to pay university parking. The crowds drawn by athletic events also clog neighborhood streets, residents said.

Chris Leighton, parking program coordinator and member of Park Wise, said that Park Wise has collaborated with the university and that the committee would like to coordinate Tucson Inner-City Express Transit, the free downtown circulator, with the Cat Tran.

Patrick Kass, director of UA Parking and Transportation Services, is a member on the committee, but was absent from yesterday's hearing.

Only residents of neighborhoods participating in the program have to pay the fees and receive enforcement.

The committee will deliver the final decision and recommendation of the proposal on March 23.