SAN CLEMENTE : Residents React to Parking Vote

The City Council’s approval of more aggressive citywide parking enforcement has drawn mixed reaction from residents.

The council’s unanimous vote last week was a vote of confidence in the Police Department, which has been criticized for stricter enforcement and the ticketing of 324 vehicles in a targeted 52-street area since January.

The crackdown is part of the city’s Neighborhood Pride Program.

Among the cited violations are abandoned vehicles, illegally parked cars, car maintenance and repairs being done in the street, and cars parked on driveways blocking the sidewalk.

Many of the residents complained that some of the regulations are unreasonable because of the city’s abundance of narrow streets and short driveways.

Resident Marlene Elliot said she owns two large trucks that don’t fit in her garage so she is forced to park both vehicles on her driveway.

“There will be 16 cars on my block alone that will be looking for parking spaces that don’t exist,” she said. “We don’t have a lot of off-street parking like some other places do. We’re feeling real targeted. We’re not slum people. We’re an asset to this city and think that should be brought into consideration.”

But others said stricter enforcement will cut down on neighborhood blight and make it safer for children.

“The overriding issue is the safety of the children,” said resident Larry Culbertson. “It’s unconscionable to put children at risk and make them walk into the street because cars are blocking the sidewalk.”

“I think it’s very simplistic, said resident John Koch. “Sidewalks are for pedestrians and garages are for vehicles.”

Council members said that although they favor stricter enforcement, they also prefer flexibility by officers in neighborhoods where there are “impossible situations” with parking.

“I think we need to be compassionate and realize that this is a city that is 60 years old,” Councilman Scott Diehl said. “We need to be more tolerant and creative in working out our problems. I think it’s important to work with neighbors instead of pitting the Police Department against neighbors.”