Several Oakland businesses close for day to protest longer parking meter hours, increased rates

The Oakland Tribune reports:

At least four businesses in Oakland's Grand Lake district closed for the day today in protest of the city's recent changes in parking meter hours and fees.

And the protest seems to be making a difference. The city of Oakland just announced that, effective Monday, it will extend all multispace parking kiosks to three-hour parking limits, said city spokeswoman Karen Boyd.