Sierra Madre : Tighter Parking Restrictions

Tighter restrictions for issuance of yearly overnight street parking permits in Sierra Madre were discussed by the City Council on Tuesday.

Councilman Clem L. Bartolai asked whether too much latitude is being given to people who need additional parking because their garages are full of household items. Councilman Orville L. (Lee) Cline agreed that he did not believe permits should be issued if garages are used for such storage.

If approved, on-street overnight parking will cost $50 a year--$25 for a city investigation of the applicant’s need for it, and $25 for the permit itself, the council agreed.

Current criteria for issuance of overnight permits include: if the number of vehicles in the family exceeds available spaces, or if two or more vehicles have to be moved to get the first one out of a garage; for medical or handicapped reasons, emergency response vehicles, landlocked residences and garage unavailability.

Currently, 617 residents have such permits.