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Traffic commission approves permit parking on Olive Street after neighbors cite overflow from Old Town paid parking
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Summary
The City of Orange Traffic Commission voted unanimously to approve permit parking on both sides of Olive Street from Almond Avenue to Palmyra Avenue after staff confirmed the block met criteria for a permanent parking opportunity area and residents presented a 13–1 petition in favor.
The City of Orange Traffic Commission on Wednesday voted to approve residential permit parking on both sides of Olive Street between Almond Avenue and Palmyra Avenue, following a staff report and multiple public comments from residents and property owners.
Staff said Olive Street qualifies as a permanent parking opportunity area under the Neighborhood Permit Parking Program and therefore is eligible under the city’s reduced neighborhood support threshold of 55 percent. The staff recommendation to implement permit parking was based on a circulated petition that met the required support level, and staff asked the commission to forward the measure to City Council for final action.
Residents who live on or near Olive Street told the commission paid parking in Old Town has shifted long-term parkers onto nearby residential blocks, making it difficult for homeowners to find on-street parking and causing blocked driveways and parking at hydrants. Andy Weil, who said he lives at 253 South Olive Street, described daily difficulties finding a spot and said his neighborhood’s petition was 13–1 in favor of permit parking.
A representative for a nearby salon urged the commission to consider issuing a small number of employee permits to allow staff who arrive early and leave late to park near the business. Staff clarified the city’s permit rules: one permit is allowed per bedroom, up to a maximum of five permits per unit, and the application fee and occupancy study are waived in permanent opportunity areas.
After brief questions from commissioners about petition boundaries and permit rules, the chair moved to approve the permit parking request as read into the record. The motion passed unanimously.
The commission’s action directs the proposal forward; the City Council will take the final action on implementing any changes to signage and enforcement. Residents who spoke asked the city to ensure affected blocks nearby receive notification and, where appropriate, similar outreach if spillover parking becomes a problem.
