Changes to parking regulations along State Route 79 in Descanso have sparked significant concern among local business owners following the installation of new no-parking signs. The adjustments, which were implemented on August 25, 2023, have already resulted in noticeable declines in customer traffic and sales, according to affected business operators.
Brett Cooker, owner of Descanso Junction Restaurant, shared his frustration: “Definitely affecting business. People drive up and see all this and they just kind of keep on going.” Just days after the changes took effect, Barby Wohlrabe, owner of Heirlooms Goods and Gifts, reported that “sales have plummeted with the tourists.”
The modifications have reduced available parking spaces significantly. At Descanso Trading Post, the number of parking spots has been cut from six to two. Meanwhile, Descanso Junction Restaurant retains only six parking spaces out of a previous total of 27.
Community Pushback and Safety Concerns
Local residents and business owners have expressed confusion and frustration over the motivations behind Caltrans’ decision. In August, the project faced a temporary halt after intervention from Senator Brian Jones, but businesses received only one week’s notice before the changes were enforced.
Cooker explained, “They contacted me and John and said we had to sign an encroachment permit to use our existing parking.” This sudden move has left many questioning the clarity of Caltrans’ communication.
Beth Landrum, a local resident and former employee of Caltrans, recounted her attempts to address safety concerns in the area. In 2020, she filed a service request for traffic calming measures, but received a response only in 2023, stating that no additional signage was necessary based on traffic collision records. “Two years later, this is what you get,” Landrum remarked.
The situation escalated in 2021 when an accident along SR-79 resulted in serious injuries to two young girls, who subsequently sued Caltrans over safety issues on the highway. John Elliott, owner of Descanso Trading Post, noted, “I pulled the files, made copies, reviewed everything. There is nothing in there about parking. It’s all about Caltrans not taking care of pedestrians in this area.”
Caltrans Responds to Community Feedback
In a statement, Caltrans acknowledged the changes, asserting that the area was restriped to allow parallel parking in compliance with state traffic laws. “For the safety of the public, parking on a state highway shoulder has never been allowed except for emergency situations and emergency vehicles,” the statement read.
The agency emphasized its commitment to community engagement, stating it “communicated with the community, business owners, and elected offices to explore and exhaust all options that improve safety, meet state policy, and reduce impacts to the community and businesses.”
Despite these assurances, local residents feel that their concerns have not been adequately addressed. Landrum expressed dismay, stating, “They’ve really turned their back on the community.” Wohlrabe added, “We have been trying to ask for speed bumps, for stop signs, anything that would help the traffic to slow down, and it seems so simple, but the no parking is definitely not the way to go.”
In light of the 2021 incident that resulted in serious injuries, Caltrans acknowledged that it played a role in the urgency for implementing safety measures along the highway. As the community grapples with these changes, the impact on local businesses and public safety remains a pressing issue.
