Santa Ana : Traffic Plan Lives On Pending Written Ruling

City Atty. Edward C. Cooper said Tuesday that the city will not rescind its controversial North-Central Traffic Plan until it receives a statement of decision from the judge who ruled Monday against the plan, which is aimed at diverting traffic from the Flower Street neighborhood.

Cooper said the city will request a written ruling from Superior Court Judge Donald J. McCartin, whose response could take up to 25 days. After receiving the documents, Cooper said, the city may try to keep the plan in effect while it files an appeal.

On Monday, McCartin ruled in favor of the Concerned Citizens of Santa Ana, a citizens group that claims the plan was enacted to benefit a small group of Flower Street residents.

The judge ordered the city to remove the no-right-turn provision that is in effect from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. for traffic eastbound on Memory Lane to Flower Street, remove traffic diverters that prevent motorists from traveling north past 17th Street on Flower and Ross streets, reset a traffic signal at Flower and 17th that had been adjusted to reduce the number of cars that can move south on a green light, and restore left-turn lanes from Bristol Street onto Memory.

McCartin also ruled that the city should pay attorneys’ fees for Concerned Residents of Santa Ana and costs of the suit, which total about $6,000.

A Police Department spokeswoman would not comment on whether police will be issuing tickets to commuters who disobey the no-right-turn sign on Memory Lane. Spokeswoman Maureen Thomas said the police are waiting until “the matter is adjudicated by the courts.”

Milo DeArmey, attorney for the citizens group, said he believed that any tickets issued to motorists who ignore the traffic signs would be thrown out of Municipal Court.