Tustin: Follow Up on New Parking Ordinances

In September, I posted about how the Tustin City Council was going to hold a public workshop to take a look at solutions to the problem with too many cars being parked on the streets overnight.  Well, apparently this was a popular event.  About 275 people came to the three-hour meeting, according to Elysse James of the OC Register.

A permit system is planned, with a public hearing tomorrow, Tuesday, at 7 p.m.  In addition to proposed regulations for off-street parking, they will also be proposing ordinances for on-site and flexible parking in Old Town.

Of course there’s been a lot of controversy.  One resident, upset over the idea, put pamphlets that looked like parking tickets on people’s car windows.  Hey, you’ve got to give the guy credit for creativity.  However, his opposition to the permits seems to be mainly based on not liking the Council exerting so much authority: “They’re just trying to assert more authority, and trying to take away everybody’s parking.”

According to James:

Parking could be prohibited on streets during street-sweeping hours; on residential streets from 7 to 11 a.m. and arterial streets from 4 to 7 a.m. The council also could set aside $175,000 to pay for enforcement personnel and equipment.

Parking on other streets could be banned completely. The council could prohibit parking on Newport Avenue from Sycamore to First Street; Red Hill Avenue from Sycamore to Mitchell and from San Juan to Bryan Avenue; and on Irvine Boulevard from Prospect to Holt. The intent is to relieve traffic congestion.

If you’ve ever driven through Red Hill during peak hours, you know there’s an issue that needs to be addressed.  However, is removing parking without providing alternative parking the answer?  It would make my life easier, but I don’t live in one of the many complexes along this street.  What’s next?  A park and ride for your apartment?  Or, the double-decker parking like at the complexes over by South Coast Plaza on Sunflower (a sight to be seen for sure!).. similar to the picture below.