Caltrans makes controversial parking changes along SR-79 in Descanso

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — After months of local pushback, new parking has been installed in Descanso along State Route 79 and businesses say they’re already feeling the effects.

"Definitely affecting business. People drive up and see all this and they just kind of keep on going," said Brett Cooker, owner of Descanso Junction Restaurant.

Not even a full week into the parking changes along SR-79 and Barby Wohlrabe, owner of Heirlooms Goods and Gifts says "sales have plummeted with the tourists."

Along the side of the road, there’s now newly installed no parking signs. At Descanso Trading Post, six spots have turned into two. In front of Descanso Junction Restaurant six spots remain out of 27.

In August, the project was on pause after Senator Brian Jones’ office got involved. But, with one week’s notice, businesses were told changes were happening on Aug. 25. Locals say they feel the reason has never been clear from Caltrans.

"It started they contacted me and John and said we had to sign an encroachment permit to use our existing parking," Cooker said.

"As a former employee, I know there are other options available," said local resident Beth Landrum.

In 2020, Landrum reached out to her former employer, filing a service request for traffic calming measures. A response didn’t come until 2023, when Caltrans wrote based on traffic collision records, no additional signs were recommended.

"Two years later, this is what you get," Landrum said.

However in 2021, an accident along the road resulted in two young girls suffering serious injuries and suing Caltrans over the safety of the highway.

"Pulled the files, made copies, reviewed everything. There is nothing in there about parking. It’s all about Caltrans not taking care of pedestrians in this area," explained John Elliott, owner of Descanso Trading Post.

Caltrans said in a statement:

"Caltrans recently restriped the area in front of the Descanso junction businesses to parallel parking in accordance with state traffic laws. For the safety of the public, parking on a state highway shoulder has never been allowed except for emergency situations and emergency vehicles.

Throughout this process, Caltrans communicated with the community, business owners, and elected offices to explore and exhaust all options that improve safety, meet state policy and reduce impacts to the community and businesses. Caltrans also worked with the community to preserve as much parking as possible."

People directly impacted in the community feel differently. 

"They’ve really turned their back on the community," Landrum said.

"We have been trying to ask for speed bumps, for stop signs, anything that would help the traffic to slow down and it seems so simple, but the no parking is definitely not the way to go," Wohlrabe said.

In response to follow up questions, Caltrans does acknowledge that incident from 2021 that resulted in serious injuries along SR-79 did play a factor in the “urgency for safety and remedial measures.”