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Traffic commission backs restricting overnight parking on Babylonia Street
Summary
The Traffic Safety Mobility Commission voted to back staff’s recommendation to restrict overnight parking on both sides of Babylonia Street between 7151 and 7233 from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., citing more than 1,000 calls for service in the area since January 2022 and resident complaints about late‑night gatherings and littering.
The Traffic Safety Mobility Commission voted June 3 to back staff’s recommendation to restrict overnight parking on Babylonia Street, supporting a proposal to prohibit parking on both sides of the street from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. between 7151 and 7233 Babylonia.
Lieutenant Lonzo Devolasko, assigned to the city traffic division, told the commission the area has generated substantial police activity. “From January 2022 to May 2024, we’ve had a total of over 1,000 calls for service,” he said, listing complaints including loud music, alcohol and drug use, trespassing and littering.
The proposal presented three options: restrict only the west curb line, restrict both sides, or make no changes. Staff recommended option 2 — restricting both sides — to avoid displacing the problem to the opposite curb. Devolasko said staff received a petition with 27 resident signatures in favor and one written opposition concerned about signs in front of a specific property.
During public comment, resident Scott Masters said he and his neighbors had repeatedly cleaned up the site and experienced vandalism. “We clean up the mess firsthand … I mean, from, believe it or not, syringes, lots of condoms, lots of fast food wrappers,” Masters said, urging the commission to act.
Commissioners asked about the difference between the petition’s requested hours (10 p.m.–6 a.m.) and the proposed 11 p.m.–5 a.m. window; Devolasko said staff sought consistency with other city restricted-parking ordinances. Commissioners also pressed staff on sign placement and enforcement; City Traffic Engineer John Kim said public works expects to place multiple signs and recommended spacing to ensure adequate notice.
A motion to adopt staff’s recommendation was made from the dais and seconded; the commission voted to pass the motion. The transcript records the motion as passing but does not provide a roll-call tally for this item.
The commission’s action endorses staff’s proposal to amend the Carlsbad Municipal Code to add the overnight parking restriction for the described block of Babylonia Street. Staff took public comment at the meeting and answered questions about enforcement and signage.
