Following the expansion of restrictions, the parking issue has become contentious throughout the Los Altos community. We believe that the City Council, neighborhood residents, and students have failed to effectively communicate their concerns. Here’s what we have to say to each of these groups.
Dear City Council,
We know you strive to better the Los Altos community. We understand the concerns surrounding students blocking driveways, mailboxes, and fire hydrants. We acknowledge that often, student parking wasn’t just an inconvenience — it was an active safety hazard.
But this solution isn’t working.
It’s increasing the number of parent drop-offs. It’s shifting the problem to different residents. It’s forcing students, who already live miles from Los Altos High School and are disproportionately lower income, to arrive at school before 8 a.m. to find parking. These restrictions completely negate a 2022 law making 8:30 a.m. the earliest school start time — made after numerous studies showed later start times improved student sleep and educational outcomes.
Among nearby schools, LAHS has one of the smallest campuses. It’s only 30 acres, compared to Gunn and Palo Alto High School’s 50. There just isn’t enough land to give parking permits to everyone. We can assure you that the parking lot is packed to capacity — our Editor-in-Chief’s math class was once delayed and almost canceled because his teacher couldn’t find parking.
The Talon is certain that the city and school can find a happy solution for everyone, such as permits for specific areas. We’re fully aligned with the city on public safety: We encourage residents and students alike to report illegal parking, and would support bans on parking in front of mailboxes and walkways. We don’t want the neighbors to suffer — but we don’t want the students to, either.
We know you’re good people who want to make Los Altos a better place to live. We ask you to extend that courtesy to the student body and the city’s fourth-largest employer. LAHS and its community want to work toward a solution — together.
Dear Neighbors,
We know it’s been hard. Some students have directly damaged your property, and others do not know common courtesies when parking near homes. We have read through many neighborhood complaints, and they’re valid.
From parking dangerously close to personal vehicles, in front of mailboxes, pathways, and fire hydrants, to blocking driveways, to speeding, it’s clear student parking has major issues.
While we hear your concern, please remember only a minority of students actually park poorly. We absolutely agree that those students should be penalized, but to the majority of high schoolers, grace should be extended.
Try putting yourself in the shoes of students who live far away: They already had to leave early for school, as some live across the railroad or miles of hills away. They didn’t get a parking permit, because Los Altos High School’s campus just isn’t large enough. Many had jobs right after school, and relied on close parking to get to work on time. Now, they have to get up even earlier — often reaching school before 8 a.m. — to access one of the few nearby spots left. Do they deserve punishment for the bad parking of a minority of students?
The solution shouldn’t be complete parking restrictions along your streets. Instead, better ticketing can address issues of poor parking in front of your property. More specific restrictions — which could look like painted curbs around mailboxes and walkways — would make it easier for newer student drivers to understand where not to park.
LAHS and its students aren’t your enemy, we’re members of your community. We want the city to find a solution that solves the issue of unsafe parking, while giving students who live far away a place to park.
We ask you to join us in this goal.
Dear Students,
We hear you. Many of you live far from school and need to drive to school each day. It’s undeniable that these restrictions have created new challenges.
However, the residents also have a point: We as students need to substantially improve our quality of parking. Imagine waking up each morning, trying to get to work, and seeing an unknown car obstructing your driveway, blocking your mailbox, preventing access to a fire hydrant, or crushing your fence and garden. Unsafe parking is why these restrictions were made — we need to step up our game.
As students, it’s our responsibility to treat our surrounding area and neighbors with respect. If we expect them to accommodate our parking, we can’t abuse it either. We have to make smart decisions when parking, and we must be courteous of the fact that people live in that space, even if it means parking a bit down the block.
Additionally, we’d like to reiterate that the school’s permit system needs to be reformed. There are students living within walking distance of school who got a permit, while ones who live far away didn’t. If you can, consider walking or biking to school to let students who have to drive park closer, and get permits.
In the meantime, be active in the community. If you don’t speak up, the City won’t have any reason to act. At the same time, remember that the concerns of the school’s neighbors are valid — don’t demonize people who would consistently miss their mail because students would block their mailbox.
Sincerely,
The Editorial Board of The Talon
