GCC, neighbors talk parking, traffic

GLENDALE — The Glendale Community College board of trustees updated the school’s neighbors about parking around campus and heard residents’ concerns about ongoing traffic issues in the area at a study session Wednesday night.

“We want to be good neighbors and work with our local community surrounding the college so that we provide a very safe driving environment,” said board President Armine Hacopian, who called the meeting and invited members of local homeowners associations.

The college wanted to make sure residents knew that the new multilevel parking structure was operational, even if not fully finished, Hacopian said. The elevator for the parking structure won’t be done until Dec. 1.

“You’re going to see the same amount of students, but you’re going to see them parking up here in a well-regulated area,” board member Tony Tartaglia said.

Tartaglia said he was optimistic that traffic on Verdugo Road and Mountain Street would improve as more students started using the parking structure.

Student trustee Hrach Orujyan told the board and the audience that many students were not used to the parking structure being available.

“We need to publicize it more,” Hacopian said.

New traffic signals on Mountain Street are expected to be up and running by Nov. 2, which will complete the changes to that road, said Bill Taylor, the college’s director of business services.

Lila Ramirez, a member of the Rossmoyne-Mountain Homeowners Assn., told the board that speeding is still rampant around the campus, and suggested that something be done to educate students about safer driving practices.

“I have a sense that our kids aren’t getting enough safety education,” Ramirez said.

In response, Hacopian floated the idea of establishing a task force to examine how students at the college could be taught about the importance of safe driving.

“I was pleased with that,” Ramirez said of the board’s response.