TO: Chair and Members of the City Traffic Commission
FROM: Larry Tay, Deputy Public Works Director/Traffic Engineer
1. Subject
title
Implementation of a “No Parking” zone on both sides of Canal Street from Meats Avenue to a point approximately 120 feet north of Glendora Avenue
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2. Summary
Residents of Canal Street and the neighborhood to its west have expressed significant concern over the presence of parked vehicles on Canal Street north of Meats Avenue. The parking demand appears to be non-local or non-residential in nature and increases the potential of vehicle-pedestrian conflicts in the area. The two-pronged approach of restricting parking on Canal Street and establishing a permit parking area for local residents is expected to address said concerns.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Approve a “No Parking” zone on both sides of Canal Street between Meats Avenue and a point approximately 120 feet north of Glendora Avenue.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None. The cost to implement the recommended changes is minimal and will be funded through the approved FY 2026-2027 operating budget.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 5. Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology
6. Discussion and Background
Canal Street north of Meats Avenue is situated at the confluence of various land uses, including residential, commercial, recreational, and institutional. In recent years, the combined effect of the land use mix, evolving parking policies on the former Mall of Orange site, and increased parking demand, have resulted in residents of the adjacent neighborhood (west of Canal Street) expressing increasing concern over diminished quality of life and perceived public safety. Among other concerns are the increased volume of pedestrian traffic at random points along Canal and the potential vehicle conflicts associated with non-local parking demand.
The volume and frequency of complaints have been sustained over the past several years, coming from diffuse and various sources throughout the adjacent neighborhood. In light of the expressed concerns and the uncertainty over the future redevelopment of the former mall site - specifically The Meats to Heim Specific Plan and its potential for associated off-site parking demand - staff believes that implementing “no parking” along Canal Street between the subject limits, except along residential frontages, would provide adequate mitigation for residents.
However, to be effective, the strategy requires a mechanism to prevent parking demand from being displaced further into the neighborhood. To achieve this, staff will present a companion item (that would establish a “permit parking opportunity area” comprising the entire neighborhood west of Canal Street) to the City Council for consideration at their October 27, 2026, meeting. In accordance with the Orange Municipal Code, City Council may, at its sole discretion, establish such areas within which individual streets may make future requests to implement (opt into) permit parking. Requests in these “opportunity areas” are exempt from application fees and minimum parking occupancy thresholds and require only 55 percent homeowner support for staff to recommend permit parking on any given block.
Staff is prepared to install the “no parking” zone immediately upon Traffic Commission approval.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Vicinity Map
• Area Map
• Map of Proposed Permit Parking Opportunity Area “7”
• Notification Letter