ORANGE : Council Approves Parking Program

At the request of more than 300 homeowners, the City Council this week approved a parking program that aims to ease street congestion and other problems in the area of a Maple Avenue apartment complex.

For the third time in about a year, homeowners living near the Orange Villa Apartments, a 260-unit complex of two-bedroom townhouses at 3138 E. Maple Ave., have asked the council to approve a parking permit program. Residents believe that such a program would help control loitering, littering, car theft and vandalism that they believe is generated by the overcrowded complex.

Traffic officials initially recommended against the latest parking program because they said there was sufficient parking in the area. But after homeowners complained, officials agreed that a parking program also could be used to help reduce crime.

Problems at the site are well-documented. From January to June, the Police Department responded to 440 calls in the area. In addition, the city has a code enforcement official assigned almost full time to handle potential health and safety violations at the complex.

John Micuda, an Oceanside real estate syndicator who has owned the apartments since 1978, agrees with city officials that the complex is overcrowded. During one random sweep last year, code enforcement officials found 75 people living in four apartments.

In an effort to resolve some of the complex’s problems, Micuda hired a new manager and implemented his own parking program program to ensure that only legal tenants park on the premises. Micuda said he was unaware of the latest complaints from the community.

The only way to solve the problems at the complex, Micuda said, would be “to evict the entire complex, which any businessman isn’t going to do.”

Instead, Micuda wants to demolish the structures and sell the property. Burnett-Ehline Development Co. has submitted a plan to the city to construct condominiums on the site.

Homeowners who had requested the permit program said they are pleased with the plan but predict that it will be only a temporary solution.

“I am very happy with the city’s action and their cooperation,” said Phil Conzelman, who collected more than 160 signatures supporting the program. “I think it’s unfortunate that we’re passing the buck from one neighborhood to another” where apartment residents without a permit will now park.

The new parking program will require a permit from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the neighborhood bordered by Chapman and Palmyra avenues and Kathleen and Dunas streets and the area bordered by Spring Street, Walnut Avenue, Swidler and Seranado streets.

To obtain a parking permit at City Hall, residents must show proof of residency. Enforcement is expected to begin Sept. 16. Violators will be subjecst to a $35 fine.