Mar Vista Residents Protest LADOT Ban on Apron Parking

Local activist Christopher McKinnon stood in front of a bright pink neon sign that read "Restore Apron Parking" at the entrance to the Mar Vista Farmers’ Market on Grand View and Venice boulevards on Sunday morning.

Along with a few hardy volunteers who live in the Mar Vista Oval neighborhood, McKinnon spent two hours handing out leaflets to passers-by, urging them to go online and sign a petition calling on the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to reinstate apron parking, or parking on your own driveway between the sidewalk and the street but without blocking pedestrian access. The LADOT banned the practice throughout Los Angeles on Aug. 28.

Sunday’s demonstration was a citywide one, with groups gathering from the Pacific Palisades to East Los Angeles, organized by Liz MacDonald of www.stopLADOT.com.

The Mar Vista demonstrators wore white aprons with photos of cars attached to them, showing clearly how apron parking works. 

Residents across the Westside and beyond have become outraged by the problems that the ban has created. Many have been hit with $58 fines for parking in their own driveways, and have had trouble finding a place to park in their neighborhoods.

The sudden crackdown came as the city faced a threat of being sued for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, because apron parking often blocks sidewalks. However, at a City Council meeting held in July, residents argued that removing apron parking actually harms those who have a disability because they cannot find close, convenient parking in their own neighborhoods.

McKinnon also told Patch that residents who live in Mar Vista’s Oval do not block the sidewalks and their driveway aprons were not built for handicapped access, but rather for vehicles.

“They are probably not safe for wheelchairs in general and especially with the "F" road surface of the Oval being what it is,” he said. (Editor’s note: “F” roads are usually placed in residential neighborhoods and consist of an asphalt-concrete surface that is approximately 3/4” thick).

During Sunday’s demonstration, McKinnon approached one woman who had just finished shopping at the Mar Vista Farmers’ Market and as he was explaining the issue, she suddenly exclaimed, “I just got a ticket for that!” and whipped out the paperwork to prove it. She took a flier and promised to go online to sign the petition.

While LADOT is being tasked with investigating the issue of apron parking, StopLADOT.com said in a release, “We must urge [LADOT] to present a plan to support apron parking as quickly as possible. We need the city to restore apron parking. This is a fair, simple and cost effective option to relieve the city of its parking pressures.”

Supporters can sign the petition at www.stopLADOT.com

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