49ers Stadium 5,000 Parking Spaces Short

The 49ers' new stadium is running short on parking spaces and now the team is trying to figure out how to fix it.

The team is about 5,000 parking spaces short of the 21,000-slot goal.

Right now, the team is looking at leasing a youth soccer complex next to Levi's Stadium, for additional parking. But that idea is not sitting well with some Santa Clara residents.

There’s also concern the parking problem could impact the Ulistac Nature Preserve, a half-mile from the stadium.

"It kills it essentially, " Ulistac Coordinator Chris Salander said of the nature preserve having to deal with large crowds. "We're going to have flood lights which will drive off the animals. It just won't be a viable location anymore."

Frequent visitors to the preserve also are concerned.

"I mean, yeah, they could probably bring more money from parking, but how about the nature?"  said Isabel Wood, who supports the Ulistac natural area. "We have to start thinking about the nature. This is the only thing we got here. It's just not fair."

City officials, however, are urging people to stay calm as there has yet to be a final decision on the issue.

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