New solutions for Old Town Parking

By Michael Picarella

pic@theacorn.com

The lack of parking in Old Town Calabasas is an issue that the city says it needs to address soon.

Myra Turek, chairperson for the Old Town Coalition, recently asked the Calabasas City Council to find solutions that would allow more parking in the popular commercial zone.

“The Coalition saved the integrity of Old Town about 17 years ago and we worked diligently to retain its flavor,” Turek said. “We have now and have had a problem with parking in the area.”

Sagebrush Cantina owner Bob McCord, who has owned and operated the restaurant in Old Town for over 30 years, reminded the council that his business continues to be affected by parking problems.

“I’ve observed the changes in Old Town and have a good understanding of the advantages and the disadvantages of growth,” McCord said in a letter to the council.

McCord said his restaurant employees and customers use much of the parking in the Old Town area.

“For my business I use three parking lots, my side and rear parking and the main piece attached to the Cantina as part of my lease,” McCord said.

“It’s a trade-off for the loss of 33 parking spots, which I incurred due to the construction of the offramp at the 101 Freeway,” he said.

Farmer’s Market guests and workers in Old Town use the parking lot behind the Sagebrush Cantina on Saturday mornings. They were previously able to use the Leonis Adobe gravel lot, but according to McCord, Farmer’s Market traffic can no longer use the lot because nearby tenants need the parking for their customers.

“Old Town is a great success,” McCord said. “The one real downside to that is parking, particularly employee parking.”

Old Town employees could park at the future civic center site and take a shuttle to their job site, Turek told the city council.

Robert Yalda, Calabasas Transportation/Intergovernmental Relations director, mentioned other solutions, including parking at the RE/MAX business in Old Town. The city also could adapt some vacant lots in the Old Town to serve as parking lots.

“It was also recommended that we contact the city of L.A. and L.A. County—a portion of Old Town Calabasas is part of their jurisdiction,” Yalda said. “What recommendation do they have? What kind of help can they give us? Is there some other property opportunities across from Valley Circle that can be utilized?”

Each day, almost 100 employees need to park in Old Town, Yalda said.

City shuttle and trolley use has helped alleviate some of the parking trouble, Yalda said, but the problem is only getting worse.

Dennis Washburn, Calabasas Mayor Pro Tem, said the city intends to work with Old Town businesses, The Commons shopping center, the shops of Park Sorrento and the Courtyard Marriott Hotel to address the traffic issue.