Pico Rivera : Lawn-Parking Ban Backed

The Planning Commission has endorsed an ordinance to prohibit parking on front-yard lawns. The commission’s action last week sends the widely debated measure to the council, which will review the law and decide its fate.

The proposed ordinance was drafted in February after several residents complained that parking on front-yard lawns hurts property values and detracts from the city’s image. Some opponents of the measure contend that it is their constitutional right to park anywhere on their property, while others argue that the narrow driveways on their tiny lots are not big enough for more than two cars.

At one point, the commissioners had considered allowing homeowners to park on lawns on street-sweeping days. But they decided against that, choosing instead to sweep the two sides of the street on alternate days. That way residents can park on the side of the street not scheduled for sweeping.

Senior City Planner John Lampe said the council is not expected to consider the issue for about six weeks. As part of its review, he said, a public hearing on the proposed law will be held, but no date has been set.