Laguna Hills keeps no‑overnight‑parking on Mill Creek Drive after residents cite safety concerns

The Laguna Hills City Council voted on May 20 to reestablish a no‑overnight‑parking prohibition on Mill Creek Drive from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. following a temporary six‑month trial that staff said reduced complaints and service calls.

Assistant City Manager Ames summarized the item’s history: the traffic commission studied Mill Creek Drive after resident and business complaints, and the city’s traffic engineering consultant, Hartzog & Krebel, analyzed geometrics, signage, sight distance and collision history. The consultant found no engineering evidence that parked vehicles had caused collisions, but resident comments and public safety concerns (including RV parking and apparent overnight camping) led the traffic commission to recommend the restriction and the council to approve it.

Traffic Commissioner Neil Patel, who spoke in favor at the meeting, told the council the measure addresses perceived safety issues and community blight. Council members discussed how the upcoming Terrabita/Kings Park development and planning process might interact with street parking supply but concluded those matters should be handled in the separate planning review. City staff noted that signs are already in place and removing them would cost public‑works funds.

The council’s roll call vote to continue the restriction was unanimous. Staff will continue enforcement and monitor complaints and will return to the council with updates if needed.

Next steps: Public Works and Laguna Hills Police Services will continue enforcement of the posted restriction and monitor service calls to determine whether the measure should be modified in the future.