STANTON : Parking Ban Hinges on Drain Repair

The price tag for a new storm drainage system along Beach Boulevard has climbed to $1.2 million as city and transportation officials continue negotiations over a “super street” project.

On June 12, the City Council will decide whether to ban on-street parking along Beach Boulevard from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. But unless county officials promise to make about $400,000 worth of repairs to the storm drains along the street, the council will allow parking during those hours.

Without a complete parking ban, traffic along the proposed 19-mile stretch of Beach Boulevard will be slowed significantly because only three lanes instead of four would be open on each side. Construction on the super street in Stanton is slated to begin in March, 1991.

How to pay for the drain improvements was discussed at meetings last month involving the Orange County Transportation Commission, the California Department of Transportation, the Orange County Emergency Management Agency and the city of Stanton. However, officials so far have been unable to come up with a plan.

“The project is going forward at this point,” said Arya Rohani, special projects manager for the Orange County Transportation Commission. “I think the storm drains are an issue that may slow things down a little and cause a lot of logistical problems. But it’s not going to stop us.”

Rohani has said that if the city refused to restrict parking along Beach Boulevard, there would be “no super street in Stanton.” He also suggested that Caltrans could force the city to restrict parking.

City Manager Terry Matz said all agencies involved in negotiations are “committed to try to find funding sources for the storm drain repairs.

The $28-million Beach Boulevard super street project extends from Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach through Westminster, Anaheim, Buena Park and La Mirada to Imperial Highway in La Habra.