Claremont’s Traffic and Transportation Commission will review additional parking restrictions Thursday in an attempt to manage continued complaints with regard to the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park.  

The city is recommending that parking be restricted on Via Catarina—located near the Wilderness Park in Claraboya—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The recommendation is being made upon a request by Via Catarina homeowner David Jacks and a petition signed by 4 other Via Catarina residents.

Currently, parking on the south side of Via Catarina is restricted 24 hours a day. Permit parking is allowed on the north side from dawn until dusk with a special permit given to residents. While residents are given 4 permits, they are required to go to the police department for additional permits when hosting gatherings, according to one Via Catarina homeowner.

Restrictions were first put in place on Via Catarina, part of the Claraboya neighborhood, last February after complaints of issues relating to crime, loss of privacy, concerns for emergency access and use of the Wilderness Park at night.

The request to increase restrictions cites continued issues with use of the street by non-residents causing a quality-of-life issue for the residents living there, as well as ongoing problems with noise and litter. The request also states that users of the Wilderness Park are “using the street as a parking lot and taking away the residents’ peace.”  

In 9 responses to a city-conducted survey of the residents of Via Catarina, 6 were in favor and 3 were opposed to 24-7 parking restrictions. Those opposed commented, “permit parking is very inconvenient and 24-7 will make it worse.” Another wrote that in 8 years he has “never experienced a single disruptive incident. A decision should be based on data.”

The Claremont Wildlands Conservancy added its opposition to the request, stating that restrictions go against the city’s commitment to maintain access to Johnson’s Pasture, as was established with the passing of Measure K. The staff report indicates that the city plans to fulfill this pledge by moving the parking for the wilderness area from streets like Via Catarina onto Mountain Avenue, where there is a “large amount of available parking.”

The Claremont City Council will explore this item pending the commission’s review and recommendation. The Claremont Traffic and Transportation Commission will meet to discuss increased parking restrictions on Via Catarina and other items at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, 225 W. Second St. View the full commission agenda at www.ci.claremont.ca.us.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com