It’s been a long time since I’ve posted anything about the current battle in Venice, CA over the RVs and their right to park on streets overnight. I read an article months back (August, to be exact) that claimed that Venice residents were going to be suing the California Coastal Commission because they just won’t allow it. According the Commission, if parking is restricted on streets in Venice, it will prevent visitors from having access to the beach. Find that article here: http://la.metblogs.com/2009/08/15/venice-residents-sue-california-coastal-commission-over-denial-of-parking-restrictions/.

I could sum up what the whole situation is, but if you’re reading this blog, you’re probably up to date. Instead, I’ll tell you that as of May 6, 2010, the residents and the Coastal Commission have reached an agreement to allow the Overnight Parking Districts. Specifics of this agreement have not been released, but you can go as far to say it’ll suck. For the RV residents, who will have to find new places to park and for the homeowners and their guests, who will now have to purchase parking permits and/or search all night long for street parking.

It’s ridiculous. I’m unhappy. I don’t live on the streets of Venice anymore, and I’m glad for it. I never dumped my piss on someone’s lawn. I never pooped on the sidewalk. I had the poop applied to my door. I had eggs thrown at my home. I had nasty notes under my wipers and stuck to my windshield. This makes no sense. Once again, you’ve moved to Venice knowing that RVers were here. Go back to Santa Monica or Hermosa. Let Venice be Venice. It’s been this way longer than you have been around.

(Here’s another article to check out, giving more details about the situation: http://spiritofvenice.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/tentative-settlement-in-opd-litigation/