Permit Parking Near School to Be Reviewed

A citizens committee is recommending that the City Council keep a permit-only parking zone on portions of Brookhaven, Swanee and Susquehanna avenues.

The council last December imposed the parking restrictions after residents complained that athletic activities and other events at nearby El Dorado High School caused problems in the neighborhood.

Residents said they experienced increased traffic, noise, speeding, vehicles blocking driveways and people changing clothes in public.

Council members said they would revisit the issue after six months, and on Tuesday, they will review a report on the permit program.

Public Works Director Chris Becker said that staff members met with the council-appointed citizen committee several times and that it recommends continuing the permit parking. Under the program, residents are issued five parking permits to park on the streets.

Since the parking restrictions went into effect in January, police have issued about 30 tickets a month to vehicles that do not have permits, Becker said.

The city has received letters from sports groups requesting that a portion of Brookhaven Avenue, next to the school, be exempt from the permit zone to allow unloading of equipment and public parking. Becker said the committee is not recommending removing permit parking in that area.

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers, 401 E. Chapman Ave. Information: (714) 993-8231.