Recent parking changes along State Route 79 in Descanso have sparked controversy among local businesses and residents. Following months of community pushback, the California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, implemented new parking regulations that have already begun to adversely affect local commerce.
Business owners have voiced their concerns, noting a significant decline in customer traffic. “Definitely affecting business. People drive up and see all this and they just kind of keep on going,” stated Brett Cooker, the owner of Descanso Junction Restaurant. Within days of the new parking restrictions, Barby Wohlrabe, owner of Heirlooms Goods and Gifts, reported, “sales have plummeted with the tourists.”
Changes to Parking Regulations
The parking modifications include newly installed no parking signs along SR-79. At Descanso Trading Post, the number of available parking spots was reduced from six to two. Similarly, only six out of 27 spaces remain in front of Descanso Junction. These changes were communicated to the business community with just one week’s notice prior to their implementation on August 25.
Initially, in August, the project faced delays after intervention from Senator Brian Jones, who sought to address local concerns. Yet, when businesses were informed about the upcoming changes, many felt that the reasons behind the adjustments remained unclear. “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 over the lack of communication, recalling her own efforts to advocate for traffic calming measures since 2020. “A response didn’t come until 2023, when Caltrans wrote that based on traffic collision records, no additional signs were recommended,” she said, reflecting on a lengthy wait for action.
Impact on Community Safety and Business
Concerns over safety have intensified following a serious accident in 2021, which left two young girls injured and led to legal action against Caltrans regarding highway safety. John Elliott, owner of Descanso Trading Post, emphasized that the focus on parking regulations has overshadowed the need for pedestrian safety improvements. “There is nothing in there about parking. It’s all about Caltrans not taking care of pedestrians in this area,” he noted.
In response to the backlash, Caltrans issued a statement defending the changes. According to the agency, “Caltrans recently restriped the area in front of the Descanso junction businesses to parallel parking in accordance with state traffic laws.” They further clarified, “For the safety of the public, parking on a state highway shoulder has never been allowed except for emergency situations and emergency vehicles.”
Despite these assurances, community members feel alienated. “They’ve really turned their back on the community,” Landrum remarked, highlighting ongoing requests for speed bumps and stop signs to facilitate safer traffic flow. Wohlrabe added, “It seems so simple, but the no parking is definitely not the way to go.”
In follow-up communications, Caltrans acknowledged that the 2021 accident contributed to the urgency for new safety measures along SR-79. As the community grapples with the impact of these changes, the dialogue between residents and transportation authorities continues, underscoring the need for a balance between safety and local business viability.
