New parking regulations along State Route 79 in Descanso have sparked significant concern among local business owners. The California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, implemented these changes after a lengthy period of community feedback, but many feel the adjustments are detrimental to their operations.
Business owners report a noticeable decline in customer traffic following the installation of new no-parking signs. Brett Cooker, owner of Descanso Junction Restaurant, stated, “Definitely affecting business. People drive up and see all this and they just kind of keep on going.” Similarly, Barby Wohlrabe, who runs Heirlooms Goods and Gifts, expressed that “sales have plummeted with the tourists.”
The modifications to parking along SR-79 have reduced the available spots near some establishments. At Descanso Trading Post, the number of parking spaces has dropped from six to two, while Descanso Junction Restaurant retains only six spaces out of a total of 27.
Community Response and Legislative Involvement
In August, the project faced a temporary halt after intervention from Senator Brian Jones. Yet, local businesses were informed just one week prior to the August 25 changes. Many residents, including Cooker, expressed frustration over the lack of clarity from Caltrans regarding the reasons behind the adjustments. “It started with them contacting me and John and said we had to sign an encroachment permit to use our existing parking,” Cooker noted.
Local resident Beth Landrum highlighted a longer history of attempts to improve traffic safety in the area. In 2020, she filed a service request with Caltrans for traffic calming measures. However, the response she received in 2023 indicated that based on traffic collision records, no additional signs were suggested. “Two years later, this is what you get,” Landrum remarked.
The urgency for changes was underscored by a serious accident in 2021, where two young girls sustained injuries, leading to a lawsuit against Caltrans regarding the safety of the highway. John Elliott, owner of Descanso Trading Post, reviewed the case files and noted, “There is nothing in there about parking. It’s all about Caltrans not taking care of pedestrians in this area.”
Caltrans’ Position and Future Considerations
In response to growing concerns, Caltrans issued a statement asserting that the recent parking changes comply with state traffic laws. The agency emphasized that parking on a state highway shoulder has never been permitted except for emergencies. “Throughout this process, Caltrans 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,” the statement read.
Despite these reassurances, many community members feel neglected. Landrum articulated a sentiment shared by others: “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.”
Caltrans acknowledged that the incident from 2021 influenced the perceived urgency for implementing safety measures along SR-79. The situation remains tense as local businesses adapt to the changes and seek further dialogue with transportation officials.
