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Residents urge Pacifica to act on RVs near Oceana and Paloma Avenue, citing safety and sanitation
Summary
Multiple Sharp Park and East Sharp Park residents told the City Council that long‑term RV parking near schools is creating safety, sanitation and quality‑of‑life problems and called for stronger enforcement and ordinance changes.
Dozens of residents from the Sharp Park neighborhood told the Pacifica City Council on Monday that long‑term RV parking along Paloma Avenue—near Oceana High School and nearby preschools—has created visibility problems, sanitation hazards and safety concerns.
Speakers described RVs repeatedly occupying curbside space for prolonged periods, obstructing sightlines for drivers and pedestrians and, in some cases, leaving trash and human waste. Several said the same owner was renting or otherwise placing multiple RVs on the block, generating business‑like activity on a residential street.
Why it matters: Commenters said the RVs reduce parking for residents during school events, present a potential hazard for children walking or biking to school, and create public‑health worries where sanitation appears to be inadequate.
Liana Wren, a 20‑plus‑year local high school teacher and Sharp Park resident, told the council the situation undermines residential zoning and “is not only a threat to public safety, but also a direct disruption to community standards, livability, and fairness.” Joyce Toomey, who said her family has lived on Paloma for decades, described feces and dumped garbage near homes and said residents were becoming ill from stress caused by ongoing incidents.
“My wife and others who live in my neighborhood have been taken to the hospital already because of this related anxiety and stress,” resident Albert Romero said, describing repeated 72‑hour parking moves that nonetheless keep RVs effectively in the same location.
Former city public‑works employee Paul Laverini urged neighbors to document incidents and urged calmer engagement with police, saying enforcement of the 72‑hour rule has been insufficient and that some RV occupants are openly dismissive of enforcement.
Residents asked the council for several possible remedies: stricter enforcement of existing 72‑hour parking limits, designation of non‑residential streets for RV parking, re‑evaluation of weight or length limits on residential streets, and targeted cleanup and storm‑drain protections to prevent sewage or other waste running into the storm system.
Several speakers asked the city to consider local regulatory changes. Helena Pacaluk, a neighbor active in East Sharp Park, asked whether the council could consider an anti‑camping ordinance or designate areas such as Lundy Way near the highway as allowable parking zones that would keep temporary living vehicles away from residential blocks.
City response and next steps: City officials acknowledged receipt of the complaints and said staff and police would continue their work on enforcement and outreach. During council communications the mayor said staff and the Parks, Beaches and Recreation department were discussing increased public messaging about illegal beach fires and that the council was “actively working with staff” on neighborhood complaints. No immediate ordinance change or new enforcement policy was adopted at the June 9 meeting; residents were told staff would return with additional analysis and options.
Ending: Neighbors asked the council for clearer enforcement and faster remedies; council members asked staff to refine the options and report back, including whether additional resources or ordinance changes are needed.
