COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Brett Fulgoni, Director of Public Works
DATE: November 4, 2025
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Establishing Proposed P referential Parking Privileges in the Neighborhood North of Pioneer Valley High School
Description:
The City Council will consider adopting a Resolution establishing preferential parking privileges for residents in the neighborhood north of Pioneer Valley High School. The proposed parking district aims to address ongoing parking issues caused by high school students parking along residential streets. Permits would allow residents to park without restriction during school hours while limiting non-resident parking.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Projec t” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution approving the establishment of preferential parking privileges to vehicles displaying a valid parking permit in the neighborhood just north of Pioneer Valley High School bounded by Seneca Street, Hearst Court, Donner Court, Domingues Street, Mammoth Drive, Horseman Court, and Rios Court.
BACKGROUND:
A resident of the neighborhood north of Pioneer Valley High School submitted a request to establish a residential permit parking district with restrictions in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The resident cited an increasing number of unlicensed or uninsured students, who are not permitted to park in the school’s student lot , parking along neighborhood streets. She reported a year -over-year increase in student vehicles and expressed concerns regarding improper parking practices, including vehicles parked partially on sidewalks and curbs.
DISCUSSION:
To confirm resident support for preferential permit parking, staff sent questionnaires to residents with property frontage in the area bounded by the streets previously identified.
The proposed parking district includes 85 properties. 74 of the 85 properti es responded to the questionnaire, with 72 responses in support of the proposed parking changes. The results of the questionnaire achieved the 85 percent approval-rate requirement. 2 Per City Council Resolution No. 2061 and CAM 63 -15, a Traffic Committee w as formed to “be responsible for the review, approval or denial, and recommendations to City Council on all matters and requests relating to traffic circulation and safety within the public right-of-way.” City staff brought the request to the Traffic Commi ttee with various neighborhood residents in attendance. The Traffic Committee discussed the issue regarding nuisance vehicles and the impacts on the residents of the neighborhood. The Traffic Committee recommends the establishment of preferential permit pa rking on Seneca Street, Hearst Court, Donner Court, Domingues Street, Mammoth Drive, Horseman Court, and Rios Court.
The Santa Maria Municipal Code, Section 7 -5.14, provides the authority to the City Council, by Resolution, to locate and designate certain areas where parking is limited or prohibited during certain hours.
Noted below are guidelines related to the proposed parking restriction:
The proposed preferential parking privileges shall become effective at midnight on January 1, 2026. The permits expire at midnight on December 31, 2030. Vehicles displaying a valid permit are exempt from the parking restrictions in the permit area.
By showing proof of residency, residents may obtain a maximum of five permits per house from the Finance Department.
The placards are displayed in the vehicles where they are visible to enforcement officers.
The residents pay $7 per permit for the cost to print and issue the permits. This fee excludes enforcement and program maintenance costs such as pole and sign installation.
The guidelines noted above are identical for all areas throughout the City with permitted parking. The requested restriction covers approximately 0.04 square miles of a residential neighborhood located north of Pioneer Valley High School, bounded by Seneca Street, Hearst Court, Donner Court, Domingues Street, Mammoth Drive, Horseman Court, and Rios Court. The proposed parking restriction lies along the single -family residential frontage. Additionally, the requested restriction covers approximately 5,000 linear feet, excluding driveways. This will result in the restricted use of approximately 330 parking spaces.
Alternative(s)
City Council may elect to deny or modify the proposed permitted parking restriction.
Fiscal Considerations
The proposed pa rking restriction will require the installation of 15 signs on existing streetlight poles, as well as printed parking permits. The Public Works Department has 3 estimated the cost of the poles and signs to cost approximately $1,500 in staff time and materials.
Impact on the Community
When implemented, it is anticipated that non-residents, specifically high school students, will be less likely to park within the subject area. However, adjacent neighborhoods, such as those, east of Pioneer Valley High School and areas further north, east of Centennial Street, may experience an increase in vehicles parked by non -residents. Residents and non-residents who park within the permit parking district without a valid permit will be subject to parking citations.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Resolution
B. Proposed Permit Parking District Neighborhood North of Pioneer Valley High School