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Council approves front-facing loading zone for Epicenter to improve student drop-off
Summary
The East Palo Alto City Council authorized a 60-foot, time-restricted loading zone in front of the Epicenter at Bay Road and Pulgas Avenue to improve safety for youth drop-offs; members added a 10-minute parking limit and a 30–60 day grace period before citations.
The East Palo Alto City Council voted to authorize a 60-foot loading zone in front of the Epicenter arts center at Bay Road and Pulgas Avenue, with time restrictions from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and a 10-minute maximum parking duration. The council added a transitional grace period of roughly 30–60 days during which the city will issue warnings rather than citations to allow users and neighbors to adapt.
Public Works Director Hamza Javed told the council the space amounts to about "2.5 parking spaces" and that the hours were chosen in consultation with Epicenter staff to match programming peaks. Epicenter representatives and multiple parents testified that the back parking lot feels unsafe at night and that a front drop-off would make it easier for families to arrive and depart safely. One parent said she and others collected 40 petition signatures supporting the change.
Council members pressed staff on enforcement and neighbor outreach; Javed said the city will erect signs, coordinate an education period, and work with police and Epicenter staff during the transitional window to discourage long-term parking. The council directed staff to notify neighboring residents before signs go up and to explore ways Epicenter can staff peak drop-off times. The motion to adopt the resolution passed by voice vote.
