Changes to parking regulations along State Route 79 in Descanso have sparked controversy among local business owners and residents. Following months of community feedback, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has introduced new parking restrictions that have already begun to impact local commerce.
Business owners report a noticeable decline in customer traffic since the installation of new no-parking signs. “Definitely affecting business. People drive up and see all this and they just kind of keep on going,” said Brett Cooker, the owner of Descanso Junction Restaurant. Barby Wohlrabe, owner of Heirlooms Goods and Gifts, noted that “sales have plummeted with the tourists” within just a week of the changes being enacted.
Under the new regulations, the number of parking spaces available has significantly decreased. For example, six parking spots in front of Descanso Trading Post have been reduced to just two. In front of Descanso Junction Restaurant, only six spaces remain out of a total of 27 previously available. Community members contend that the rationale behind these changes has not been adequately explained.
In August 2023, the project faced a temporary halt following intervention from Senator Brian Jones‘ office. However, businesses were informed only one week prior that changes would be implemented on August 25, 2023. “It started when they contacted me and John and said we had to sign an encroachment permit to use our existing parking,” Cooker explained.
Local resident Beth Landrum expressed frustration, recalling her previous attempts to engage with Caltrans regarding safety measures. She had contacted her former employer back in 2020, filing a service request for traffic calming measures, but did not receive a response until 2023. Caltrans indicated that based on traffic collision records, no additional signs were warranted at that time. “Two years later, this is what you get,” Landrum remarked.
The safety concerns are not unfounded. In 2021, a serious accident on SR-79 resulted in two young girls suffering significant injuries, prompting a lawsuit against Caltrans regarding safety conditions on the highway. Local business owner John Elliott emphasized that the focus should be on pedestrian safety rather than parking issues. “There is nothing in there about parking. It’s all about Caltrans not taking care of pedestrians in this area,” Elliott stated.
In response to the growing discontent, Caltrans issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to public safety. “Caltrans recently restriped the area in front of the Descanso Junction businesses to parallel parking in accordance with state traffic laws,” the statement read. It further clarified that parking on a state highway shoulder is generally prohibited except in emergencies. The department claimed to have engaged with the community, business owners, and elected officials to explore options that would enhance safety while minimizing impacts on local businesses.
Despite these reassurances, community members feel the changes have disregarded their input. “They’ve really turned their back on the community,” Landrum said. Wohlrabe echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the community had been advocating for speed bumps, stop signs, or any measures that would help slow down traffic instead of eliminating parking. “It seems so simple, but the no parking is definitely not the way to go,” she added.
Caltrans acknowledged that the 2021 incident played a role in the urgency for safety measures, but residents continue to express their dissatisfaction with the current approach. As the situation unfolds, the effects of the parking changes on local businesses and community safety remain a focal point of discussion among Descanso residents.
