Update on apron parking

09/14/11

Residents all over the City are learning what too many in Westwood and
all over the Fifth Council District already know - that the City needs
a new policy on "apron parking."

The apron is the portion of the driveway between the sidewalk and the
street.In many parts of Los Angeles, particularly older multifamily
neighborhoods, the sidewalks are fairly close to the buildings and
residents have parked for many years on the aprons of their driveways
between the sidewalk and the street. In years past, regulations
against apron parking largely have not been enforced.

Unfortunately, that changed this year.Law suits were filed against the
City claiming, among other things, that apron parking interfered with
the mobility of disabled residents. Partially in response to this
litigation, the City Attorney's Office instructed the Department of
Transportation to enforce existing prohibitions on apron parking. This
abrupt elimination of many parking spaces all over Los Angeles is
causing great hardship in many neighborhoods.

Councilmember Koretz has a long history of support for the rights of
the disabled and differently-abled and continues to strongly advocate
for justice for the victims of disability discrimination.Nonetheless,
Councilmember Koretz believes that the City can develop an apron
parking system which fully protects the rights of the disabled and
addresses the legitimate parking needs of neighborhood residents (some
of whom are in fact disabled).

One issue is whether Sacramento must pass legislation before the City
can act to meet the needs of all of its residents. The California
Vehicle Code is silent on the issue of apron parking.Some have
interpreted this silence as a prohibition on the development of a Los
Angeles City apron parking altogether unless and until Sacramento
revises the Vehicle Code to expressly provide for such a program.

The Councilmember therefore authored a proposal, which was adopted by
the full City Council, to direct the Department of Transportation and
the City Attorney to report on a dual strategy regarding apron parking
- both the immediate development of an apron parking plan and also the
development of a Sacramento legislative strategy. Again, either
strategy should and in fact must fully protect the rights of the
disabled. Councilmember Koretz has already begun seeking legislators
willing to explore possibly writing and carrying any appropriate
legislation, and has also urged the Department of Transportation and
City Attorney's Office to begin the necessary work leading to a
report. 
--
Eric Weiser
Field Deputy
Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz  |  Fifth District
200 N. Spring St., Room 440  |  Los Angeles, CA 90012
213.473.7005 Office  |  213.978.2250 Fax
Email:  Eric.Weiser@lacity.org

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