LA PALMA : City Gives Initial OK to ‘No Skating’ Law

The City Council gave initial approval this week to a law that would allow businesses to post their properties as “no skating” zones.

The proposed law, which came before the council Tuesday night, is intended to help commercial property owners control skateboarders and roller skaters who use sidewalks, benches and parking structures to practice their sport.

Nobody spoke against the proposed law, which would make it illegal to ride skateboards or roller skates on commercial property if the owner posts signs prohibiting the activities.

The law will go before the council again Sept. 17 for final approval. If adopted, it would take effect Oct. 17.

The council considered the law after owners of the 42-acre Centerpointe La Palma business and shopping center complained that skateboarders were damaging their property and creating a possible liability risk should someone be injured. Due to the public nature of the center, the owners have no legal power to stop the skateboarders and asked the city for the law, said Julie Olin, Centerpointe’s property manager.

Skateboarders had cracked or damaged some of the center’s benches and fountains and had torn out several concrete parking stall dividers to create jumping ramps, she said.

La Palma already prohibits skateboarding outside City Hall and across the street at Central Park.