Roseville delays decision on Darling Way permit parking after residents report blocked driveways

At its Oct. 1 meeting, the Roseville City Council heard a presentation from Assistant Public Works Director Stephanie Keeman on a resident-initiated request to create 24-hour residential permit parking on the north side of Darling Way between Clarice Lane and the end of pavement near I-80. Staff reported field observations, a neighborhood survey and a recommended resolution to install permit parking.

The council heard multiple, detailed public comments from nearby residents describing repeated blockage of private driveways, late-evening parking tied to recreational programming and threats or verbal confrontations when residents asked drivers to move. Christine Farley, who said she lives at 905 Darling Way and initiated the request, told the council she “couldn’t get out of the driveway” and that evening soccer practices and other activities sometimes left vehicles blocking access until about 9:30 p.m. Another resident said drivers left trash and bottles in the neighborhood and that visibility for children crossing the street was impaired.

Keeman told the council that staff performed field visits (Oct. 8, Nov. 4 and Dec. 13) and observed 11, 10 and 7 cars parked along the north side during those times while seeing 51, 36 and 45 available spaces in the adjacent school parking lot on the same visits. Staff said the school gate on Darling Way makes street parking more convenient than some lot spaces. Staff also reported a postcard survey sent to properties in the proposed zone (13 surveys sent): 8 yes, 2 no and 2 non-responses (the transcript records those counts as the basis for staff’s recommendation). Staff recommended a resolution (No. 25-304) to approve the permit zone on the north side of Darling Way.

Council members asked about alternatives, enforcement and whether signage or gate access could direct drivers into the school parking lot. Staff said red curbs are not routinely installed because of maintenance burdens, one-hour signs are difficult to enforce, and signage directing people to on-site parking could be considered but may be hard to enforce if vehicles belong to residents. The city manager noted the city has in the past used field monitors and gate controls to manage shared park/school use and proposed that staff pursue additional programmatic and signage solutions before a final decision.

Because some council members wanted more outreach and to explore options (programming, signage, enforcement, gate access and communication with leagues and the school), there was no motion to adopt the resolution to install 24/7 permit parking that night. Later in the meeting the council voted to move item 6 to a future agenda for further study and follow-up with Parks & Recreation and Public Works. The motion to reschedule the item passed on roll call (all members voting yes).