Story Created:
Aug 4, 2010 at 7:39 PM PST
Story Updated:
Aug 4, 2010 at 7:39 PM PST
NORWALK — Cerritos College students will have to relocate their parking and partying area following City Council action Tuesday night to designate sections of nearby residential streets for preferential parking.
The action came at the request of a majority of residents on parts of Elmhurst, Harvest, Sylvanwood and McRae avenues and Gridley Road, all north of the college at 11110 Alondra Blvd.
Under the preferential parking law, homeowners must obtain from the city stickers or tags to place on their vehicles and those of guests to park on the street.
Vehicles found parking on those streets by sheriff’s deputies or public service officers are subject to warnings, citations and towing.
Residents of the area told City Council members that students, apparently not wishing to pay parking costs on the campus, cause problems such as blocking driveways, obscuring the vision of cars backing out of driveways, parking in front of fire hydrants and socializing on the streets disturbing residents and causing trash.
“They even have tailgate parties,” one resident said.
Another resident said she was almost struck by a neighbor who was backing out of his driveway and couldn’t see the street because of the large vehicles parked on either side.
“The kids talk too loud and leave trash. They have no respect for anybody,” Geroldine McMurrey said.
The complaints are similar to those received from residents who live west of the neighborhood toward Studebaker Road, where preferential parking was approved several weeks ago.
Questioned by the council, Public Safety Director Carlos Ramos said numerous citations have been issued in the first area with tickets costing offenders $40.
In addition, some 30 vehicles have been towed away, requiring the driver or owner to pay fines and storage fees costing several hundred dollars.
Councilman Mike Mendez said towing the vehicles would probably be more of a deterrent.
Councilwoman Cheri Kelley told the residents she was sorry they had to spend their time appearing before the council to seek assistance.
“There is plenty of parking on campus but Cerritos College officials don’t seem a bit interested in helping us,” Kelley said.
Cerritos College administrators had previously pledged to help by promoting campus parking and issuing warnings to students.
Public Works Director Gary Di Corpo said the signs and restrictions should be in place by Aug. 16, when the fall semester begins.
He said cost of the sign installations would be about $2,500.
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