TAC recommends removal of 10-minute parking limit by Elder and Pico

The county's Traffic Advisory Committee has recommended that the ten-minute parking limit surrounding the intersection of West Elder Street and Pico Avenue be removed.

The TAC's unanimous April 24 decision would eliminate the 10-minute limit on the north side of West Elder Street between Pico Avenue and 120 feet west of Pico Avenue and on the east side of Pico Avenue from Elder Street to 50 feet north of Elder Street, although the TAC recommendation also included extending the red curb painting by that intersection to the allowable 20 feet from the intersection in each direction.

Although the county's Department of Public Works (DPW) can paint the red curb to the allowable 20 feet without San Diego County Board of Supervisors approval, the county supervisors will make the final decision on the elimination of the time limit.

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a first reading and introduction of the ordinance amendments June 24, in which case the second reading and adoption would be scheduled for July 22. The amendment to repeal the time limit would take effect August 21, although DPW could remove the signs prior to that date.

"The idea is to remove the ten-minute parking signs so it's open to the public, open and available to the public," said county Department of Public Works civil engineer Karel Shaffer, who chaired the April 24 TAC meeting.

The ten-minute time limit originated when a charter school was on the 127 W. Elder Street property bounded by Mission Avenue, Elder Street, and Pico Avenue. "The charter school required the ten-minute parking. Since they're gone it doesn't need to be there any more," Shaffer said.

The building is now a restaurant (127 West Social House). "Because of the demand the restaurant is asking to have the parking prohibitions removed," Shaffer said.

"There's a demand. There's opportunity to park safely," said DPW traffic engineering manager Murali Pasumarthi. "It's a good thing."

West Elder Street, which is not classified in the Mobility Element of the county's General Plan, is a two-lane striped roadway 32 feet in width.

The red curb will be extended to ensure that intersection sight distance is not blocked. "I think that's a good idea," Shaffer said.

The area with the current time limit, as well as other on-street parking spaces around the restaurant, would still be subject to prohibitions against long-term parking. "The county ordinance is still in effect. They can't park more than 72 hours," said DPW senior traffic engineer Giselle Finley.

"All we're doing is opening up more public parking in that area," Shaffer said.

The nearby school zone restrictions by Maie Ellis Elementary School will remain in effect.