New Parking Restrictions Planned Near Runyon Canyon

There's no question that Runyon Canyon has become a popular hiking area on weekends.

Now that the park has become a hot spot within recent years the parking situation has put additional strain on residents, visitors and now it's affecting church-goers in the neighborhood. Hat tip to Hollywood Unbound blogger Darryl Ford for pointing this out.

As a result, parking restrictions near south and west entrance of Runyon Canyon Park on Vista Street and they're about to change again.

Back then, tighter restrictions were imposed to prevent visitors from parking on residential streets on weekends. Restrictions for the Preferrential Parking District 112 were adjusted to "No parking anytime, except two hour parking Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m." 

Fast forward to today, it appears that those restrictions have had a negative effect on attendance at a nearby church.

Leaders at St. Thomas the Apostle have noticed a decline in attendance since the restrictions went into effect. Church representatives state the parking district has caused "serious injury to our parish" and "attendance has plummeted." (See a copy of the report and original letters here.)

The city's Department of Transportation recommended renewing the parking restrictions for an additional year when it was up for review in August, but after consideration by the Transportation Council Committee changes were made to accomodate church-goers.

The hours will soon be adjusted to "No Parking anytime except two hour parking from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Friday." The City Council approved the Transportation Committee report on Aug. 24.

Hollywood Unbound blogger Darryl Ford, weighed in on the parking situation on his blog. 

I think this most recent issue with PPD No. 112 really highlights out how ineffective the various parking restrictions and Preferential Parking Districts around Runyon Canyon Park have been. 

I hope that the various ongoing issues with PPD No. 112 will push Councilmember LaBonge and the residents living south of Runyon Canyon Park to work together to come up with a way for all City residents to be able to enjoy use of these public streets so they can live, work, play - and worship - in their community.

My view, to repeat myself from previous posts, is that it is long past time for the City to comprehensively look at Runyon Canyon Park’s parking issues. The City needs to try to address the root of the area's parking issues instead of just pushing the parking problem from street to street with no care or thought given to those that might be impacted by such shortsighted measures and actions.

What do you think about the parking situation? What would you suggest as a permanent solution that would be a compromise for residents and visitors? Chime in the comment section.

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