Compton council to consider limiting preferential-parking hours after outcry from Richland Farms residents

Richland Farms residents urged the Compton City Council on Tuesday to relax new preferential-parking rules they say are unfair, costly and enforced around the clock.

About a dozen residents who live in or near Richland Farms told the council at the public-comment period that the district's 24/7 enforcement and visitor-permit fees make routine family events difficult and burden seniors and caregivers. "My kids were coming from work, their spouses' it's unfeasible," said Frances Nacia Sagular, a Richland Farms resident, describing a recent Super Bowl Sunday when only one guest pass was available for a large household.

City Manager Hopkins said at the podium that the parking district was created years ago and has been enforced as a 24/7 zone; he proposed adding defined enforcement hours to provide relief. Hopkins told the council that a common approach in neighboring cities limits enforcement to specific overnight hours and that changing the ordinance to identify hours would address many resident concerns. He also said a citywide parking-assessment request for proposals (RFP) will be released in mid-March to provide a comprehensive analysis.

Treasurer and staff figures cited in the meeting record show about 420 of roughly 500 residents in the Farms have purchased permits, a fact Hopkins offered to weigh when drafting options. Council members pressed for both near-term relief and a thorough citywide study. "Given the level of community concern and lack of sufficient analysis, I strongly urge staff to pause this process, conduct a full evaluation, and engage residents meaningfully," Councilmember Bowers said during discussion.

Councilmember Duhart moved to amend the district's enforcement to specified hours (suggested example: enforce between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., excluding holidays) and to bring several time-window options back to the council next week; the council directed staff to return with three options and indicated they would make temporary relief measures free for the district while the assessment proceeds. City Manager Hopkins said staff would present three enforcement-time options and suggested some event-related temporary permits could be offered without cost for that district.

The council did not adopt a final ordinance at the meeting; instead members asked staff to return with time-window options and said the forthcoming RFP will inform any longer-term changes. The manager's office also indicated it will consider reducing or waiving event fees in the short term for impacted residents.

What happens next: The city manager will bring back three enforcement-hour options and short-term permit-fee proposals at the next council meeting; the city will release an RFP for a citywide parking assessment in mid-March.