Fullerton traffic commission denies request to lift 2–5 a.m. parking restriction on north side of Evergreen Avenue

The Fullerton Traffic Commission voted unanimously to deny a petition to remove the citywide 2–5 a.m. parking restriction on the north side of Evergreen Avenue between Ponderosa Avenue and about 250 feet east of Bridal Boulevard.

The city traffic engineer (name not stated) told commissioners that the petition did not meet the support thresholds required under Fullerton Municipal Code § 8.44.080 and that staff had received about 11 emails opposing the change. The engineer also noted the city now offers an early-morning parking permit program, which allows eligible residents to buy a $50 annual permit and may address demand without removing the ordinance restriction.

Why it matters: Removing the restriction for a block would exempt cars from 2–5 a.m. enforcement on that segment, potentially shifting overnight parking patterns onto adjacent properties and affecting neighbors on the south side of Evergreen. Commissioners weighed neighborhood impacts, petition validity and the availability of the permit as alternatives.

During the staff presentation, the engineer reviewed the petition timeline and recent outreach, saying that the original 2022 petition had lost signatures after some residents withdrew support and that staff updated a support map based on new responses. The engineer said about 70 notices were mailed for the special meeting and that one unit in the nearby apartment complex already held an early-morning permit, one application was pending and four accounts had been set up but not yet issued permits. The engineer summarized: “Support for the exemption has not been met.”

In public comment, resident Michael O’Shea of 1318 Evergreen Avenue urged denial, telling commissioners that some names were withdrawn after signers were told incorrect information about the petition and that apartment garages near the complex are frequently empty: “We’re here today to to not support the removal of the restriction.” He said the apartments had existed since 1963 and that neighbors had not previously experienced parking problems.

Commissioners questioned whether the application should have been brought forward at all without meeting the minimum signature thresholds. Commissioner Cavallo asked directly whether the commission should “even be entertaining this request” given it did not meet the required 51% support on the north side and the combined 51% from both sides of the street. Staff confirmed property owners must sign petitions and that the city verified signatory names against recorded information.

Commissioner Sherry said she is “pretty sympathetic to renters’ causes” and suggested that denial could push renters toward the permit program, which allows one permit per apartment unit; staff noted the complex has 62 units and an estimated 124 on-site parking spaces. Commissioner Walker cautioned that removing the restriction could make conditions worse for south-side neighbors, who largely oppose the change.

After debate, Commissioner Cavallo moved to concur with the city traffic engineer’s recommendation to deny the exemption; Commissioner Sherry seconded. The commission voted in favor and the motion passed.

The commission also approved minutes from the Feb. 2, 2026 meeting with an edit requested by Commissioner Walker removing a sentence he characterized as conjecture. Staff announced the April meeting would be canceled due to staffing constraints and that the city’s civil engineering principal will present the capital improvement program — including which streets will receive full grind vs. mill-and-overlay treatments — at the commission’s May meeting.

The vote to deny the Evergreen exemption was recorded as a majority in favor; staff said an applicant may appeal to the City Council in writing within 10 days, paying an appeal fee if they choose to pursue the matter further.