Council to Consider Parking Limitations

A proposal to prohibit commercial vehicles from parking in residential areas unless the owner lives in the neighborhood and obtains a permit is on the City Council’s agenda tonight.

The plan, if approved, would apply to any vehicle larger than 8 feet wide, 7 feet high and 21 feet long.

City officials began working on the plan after receiving numerous complaints from residents saying commercial vehicles detract from a neighborhood’s atmosphere.

Other matters up for council consideration:

* A proposal to build a 251-room, seven-story Doubletree Hotel at MacArthur Boulevard and Imperial Promenade.

The property is part of the MacArthur Place planned development.

If approved by the council, the hotel will feature banquet facilities for 540 people, a fountain, pool area and exercise room.

* Traffic improvements that include a study of signal timing along Main Street, MacArthur Boulevard and 17th Street; the installation of a closed-circuit television camera at Main and 17th streets; and putting in a new signal at Broadway and 15th Street to improve pedestrian safety.

* Renewing an annual assessment paid by merchants in the city’s Business Improvement District downtown. This year, the district paid $148,000 to the city to cover street maintenance and improvements. The tax for next year is estimated at $160,000. The assessment amount is based on estimated revenue.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza.