Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parking topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Downtown salon owners, seniors press Ontario council for customer parking as construction looms
Summary
Owners and supporters of JC Beauty Salon told the Ontario City Council that nearby apartment tenants regularly occupy four two-hour customer parking spaces in front of the salon, hurting business; staff said enforcement and coordination with public works will be explored.
Jaime Rocha, owner of JC Beauty Salon at 122 North Sultana Avenue, told the Ontario City Council during public comment that tenants at the nearby Snyder apartment complex regularly occupy the four two-hour spaces in front of her shop, making it difficult for clients — many of them seniors — to access the business.
"Parking for my clients is very limited," Rocha said, adding that she and five employees depend on salon income and that repeated police calls have not solved the problem. She warned that upcoming construction on C and D streets will further reduce available parking.
Pamela Wiltzy Weatherby, who identified herself as a senior, urged the council to authorize business-only parking placards so customers and patrons with limited mobility can park closer to the salon. "I have seen people there in wheelchairs," she said.
Terry Weatherby, introduced by the mayor as the next speaker, asked the council to designate four spaces in front of the salon as customer parking Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., to protect the livelihoods of the salon’s employees.
The City Manager said staff would coordinate police and public works for interim enforcement and meet with the business after the meeting. "If folks are abusing the on-street parking, then that enforcement is going to be the first step," he said, and invited the speaker to meet a police captain after the meeting.
Mayor Leon closed public comment without immediate action; council members and staff signaled interest in follow-up enforcement and potential temporary measures while construction is underway.
What happens next: The City Manager and police staff said they will follow up with the salon owner after the meeting to explore interim enforcement and short-term parking solutions. Any permanent change (signage, legal permit parking) was not decided during the session.
