Editor,
(The City Council was copied in as well.)
I would be very surprised if none of you are aware of the illegal and dangerous early morning parking lane that appears along Coast Highway almost everyday.
Most weekdays prior to 7:30 a.m. there are numerous vehicles parked on the shoulder of Coast Highway close to the entrances to Emerald Bay and Irvine Cove. This section of Coast Highway is a “no stopping at any time” zone. I have called the LB police many times, but nothing is done. I assume the “no stopping” is for safety reasons, which would make perfect sense as sections of the shoulder are not sufficiently wide to accommodate many vehicles so they protrude into the carriage way. This is a hazard and a danger to a motorist, but a very real and great danger to cyclists, forcing them out into the fast moving traffic.
The vehicles are those of construction workers who are not granted access until 7:30 a.m. Possibly these gated communities could allow the vehicles to enter as they arrive, but forbid them from stating work until 7:30 a.m. In other words, exactly the same as anywhere else in Laguna Beach. Alternatively, Emerald Bay and Irvine Cove could provide a waiting area on their property to accommodate these vehicles until 7:30 a.m. rather than barring them and putting the general public at risk.
The question is what is more important? The safety of motorists, cyclists and runners using this section of Coast Highway or minor noise pollution to residents of Emerald Bay and Irvine Cove as vehicles pull up outside their homes. Personally, it’s a very easy to question to answer.
I trust you will look into this ongoing illegal and dangerous situation.
Max Isles, Laguna Beach
