More Residential Parking Restricted as Council Approves Preferential Parking District

Another residential neighborhood near Citrus College will restrict public parking as the Glendora City Council approved a preferential parking district on Barranca Avenue between Foothill Boulevard and Milton Drive.

The Glendora City Council unanimously approved the parking district Tuesday, which would allow residents to purchase parking spaces in front of their homes and prohibit public parking during school hours.

Frustrated with the number of Citrus College students who park in nearby neighborhoods to avoid paying parking permit fees, residents along Barranca Avenue between Foothill Boulevard and Milton Drive petitioned to create the district.

Although the residents did not achieve a two-thirds neighborhood vote, municipal code allows city council to approve the district.

Under the new resolution, public parking will be restricted between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on school days only. The first two permits per qualified residents will be waived and the annual fee for additional permits, up to a maximum of two, will be $5 each.

Residents in the approved district have said the unwanted public parking in front of their homes has caused dangerous situations.

“I have almost been in two big accidents, I have had my mailbox knocked over,” said Carol Sorrensen during the meeting. “We’re also concerned about robberies. We see people sitting in their cars for a long time. We don’t know what they’re doing, and if they’re watching us. We’re at a loss. It’s dangerous just to leave our house.”

Residents also claim the number of cars parked along Barranca Avenue obstructs views and creates hazardous traffic sitruations.

“When they park they’re big cars in the front, I can’t see,” said resident Maria West. “Sometimes I’m afraid to go to the left so I turn right because I’m afraid to hit someone.”

In the past, Citrus College representatives have placed flyers on students’ cars encouraging students to be “good neighbors” and use campus parking lots rather than nearby residential neighborhoods. Parking permits cost $5 per day, and up to $40 per semester. Tuition for Citrus College students has gone up $10 to $36 a unit over the past year.

In April, the council also unanimously approved preferential parking districts for residents on Orangepath Street and Vecino and Marcile Avenues.