Parking Permits Not Necessary on Del Obispo, Commission Says

Residents shouldn’t be required to buy permits to park overnight on the south side of Del Obispo Street between Via Belardes and Paseo Terraza, the Transportation Commission is recommending to the City Council.

The City Council had asked staffers to look at the possibility of instituting the parking restriction in the area—similar to what's done on Camino Capistrano, north of La Zanja Street. After reviewing the staffers' report, transportation commissioners said requiring permits would simply compel the 30 or so people who park in that area to find another neighborhood to park in, thereby just transferring the problem.

"It’s certainly not constituting a safety issue or obstruction of traffic … I would propose that we would not pass any restrictions," said Chairwoman Jean Savage.

Staffers said it's likely that the "consistently high parking count" of 28-30 cars in the 925-foot section of street is used by overflow parking for the Casa de Capistrano, Via Belardes, Calle Delphina and Calle Reynalda neighborhoods.

Some San Juan Capistrano residents who addressed the Transportation Commission said Wednesday that the high volume of cars on the street could be a reflection of overcrowding in the neighborhoods. They also said that the restrictions placed on Camino Capistrano in September 2009 have made the drive down that street far more scenic, with views of the trees and landscaping.

A yearlong parking permit in San Juan Capistrano costs $7.25.