When our community in Palo Del Amo Woods was established in 1965, it was a vibrant and welcoming neighborhood. As part of the charm, the developers included several cul-de-sacs lined with homes designed for families to grow and thrive. However, at the end of these cul-de-sacs, many driveways were constructed shorter than the norm. In recent years, this has led to a slew of unjust parking fines that are severely affecting our community.
Just a few years ago, parking enforcement began to ticket our neighbors whose vehicles extended more than 10 inches into the public right-of-way. This ordinance, we learned, was enacted in 1959, years before our homes were built. It’s clear now that the builders had intended for the homebuyers to use these driveways for parking, but they failed to disclose that parking in these short driveways would lead to fines.
In 1965, the average car size was akin to a Chevy Impala. Today, vehicles have generally become larger, making it nearly impossible not to extend into the street when parked. This oversight by the original developers, and the failure of the authorities to adapt outdated ordinances to today’s realities, is now creating unnecessary hardship for residents with these short driveways.
We, the residents of Palo Del Amo Woods, urge the local authorities and the Los Angeles Department of regional planning and the Los Angeles County Supervisors to reconsider and revise the outdated ordinance. These driveways were built with the community in mind, long after the ordinance was passed. We request a practical solution that acknowledges the unique layout of our neighborhood and the real parking demands of today’s world.
One potential solution would be to grant parking exemptions for these specific driveways or to allow for a greater overhang limit that accommodates modern vehicle sizes in such uniquely constrained areas. We also encourage regional planning officials to work with the community to find creative solutions to relieve this ongoing burden.
By signing this petition, you will be standing with the residents of Palo Del Amo Woods to push for change that respects our community’s needs and honors the neighborhood’s original design intentions. Together, let’s make our voices heard and bring about a fair resolution for all involved.
