Isla Vista Hiring a Parking Manager to Solve Vehicle Issues in the Tight Community
ISLA VISTA, Calif. (KEYT) - The effort to put the brakes on parking problems in Isla Vista is going into high gear with the hiring of a Parking Manager.
The Isla Vista Community Services District has posted the position and is taking applications.
The district says the goal is to reduce illegal parking, promote sustainability through alternative options, and enhance the livability and safety of Isla Vista.
Jenna Norton is the Isla Vista Community Services District Public Works and Sustainability Manager. She says, "we deserve to have safe community where emergency vehicles have easy access. We deserve to have intersections with a clear view so you are not at risk of hitting a pedestrians or a bicyclist ."
The program will involve outreach, education, enforcement and collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
There will also be a stepped up effort to write citations for vehicles that are illegally parked.
This includes vehicles in the red zones, by fire hydrants, across alley openings, around street corners and blocking ADA access points. . There's numerous violations on many streets.
"It is not going to be strictly writing citations although that is part of the job. We are looking for someone who see's the bigger picture of what a huge impact this program will have for the safety and well being of our community," said Norton. "The blocked sidewalks the blocked curb ramps it is something most people don't think about but it is so detrimental."
The offenses are very common in IV and it causes safety problems throughout the very tight and highly populated community.
Dulce Vallerga is a UCSB Senior and an Isla Vista resident and says, "I see people parking in spots where you shouldn't be parking but where else can you park?"
Some residents have to walk blocks to get to their front door after they park.
It is something resident feel frustrated about. Loren Maher said, "it has just become so normalized, parking in red zones and hanging out in the driveway is so the crosswalk and the sidewalk is covered, it is so normalized."
It can be very difficult to fit in what is open. "Sometimes there is a spot, but I actually don't know how to parallel park but I get frustrated because that is the only spot available for me."
Araceli Avina said "I feel like if no one does anything it is just going to continue. I know people are going to think parking fines are the way to go but you have to try something in order to know if it is going to work or not. "
Hearing about a ticket plan, which is already in place with the Sheriff's Department, Shawn Singh said, "I think it will be a hardship on me and a hardship on everyone. The school is only getting bigger, they are accepting more people more and more people going to college . "
The deadline to apply for the manager post is February 6th.
For more information go to : IVCSD.
