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Commission opens broader review of parking in roadside easements after safety concerns; chief recommends red‑flag restrictions
Summary
Following complaints and citations, Rolling Hills Estates’ Traffic Commission agreed to continue discussion and asked staff to return with ordinance options. The city’s fire chief suggested restricting parking on evacuation routes during red‑flag fire weather days like Los Angeles City does.
The Rolling Hills Estates Traffic Commission on Wednesday carried over a discussion about vehicles parked in roadside easements to its next meeting and asked staff to return with additional information, including possible ordinance language and notification procedures.
Christian (city staff) said the item followed earlier comments and some proactive citations the sheriff’s department issued overnight on April 9. He summarized that the municipal code contains a limited prohibition related to 2–4 a.m. parking, but commissioners and staff noted confusion about the rule and whether parking on easements creates a safety hazard for evacuation and emergency access at any hour.
Vice Chair Bobbitt and other commissioners said the primary concern is whether parked vehicles could block narrow streets or otherwise impede fire or emergency vehicles during evacuations. A commissioner noted residents’ understandable frustration after citations were issued overnight. Council staff and commissioners debated whether enforcement should target particular streets or be citywide.
John Butorovich, identified at the meeting as a fire chief, told the commission that Los Angeles City uses signage and public notices to prohibit parking on certain canyon routes during Red Flag and fire‑weather days. “On fire weather days, they don’t allow parking,” Butorovich said, noting that reduced roadside parking on those days improved emergency access in other jurisdictions. The chief recommended the city consider a similar regime tied to official red‑flag alerts and work with county and association partners on public outreach.
Commissioners voted to continue the item to the next meeting and asked staff to prepare background, sample ordinance language and notification approaches (for example, gate messages, the city’s alert system and association email blasts). The sheriff’s office had planned to remain for the discussion but left before it began; staff will seek its input for enforcement feasibility.
Ending: Staff will return with draft ordinance language, clarification of current municipal code limits (including the narrow 2–4 a.m. provision), and recommended notification options for Red Flag/fire‑weather days so the commission can consider enforceable options.
