Mayor wants RC car restrictions

Mayor Cathy Green is proposing restricting where in city parks residents can drive remote control vehicles as part of an addition to an ordinance that will go before the City Council Monday.

The prosal would still allow residents to drive RC vehicles, but only in specific areas, Green said.

“I just kind of want to make sure we have a place for kids and parents to go that is safe, but not destructive,” Green said.

Green has received about 20 complaints from residents about the destruction the toys cause to the habitat and the dust and noise problems they create.

The problem isn’t people who come to the parks and drive the miniature vehicles in a respectful manner, but those who build dirt jumps and dig courses into the area near Goldenwest Street and Talbert Avenue in Huntington Central Park, said Community Services Director Jim Engle.

City staff is looking into designating an area for driving the RC vehicles if the ordinance modification is approved, but until then public works has taken down the jumps and courses to avoid temptation, Engle said.

The current ordinance already restricts model, or gas-powered, airplanes, helicopters and boats in parks and provides for any loud noise disturbances, but RC vehicles haven’t been a problem, Engle said.

The problem became apparent to city officials about a month ago when citizens began complaining and officials became aware of YouTube videos of people jumping RC vehicles over fire in the park, Engle said.

Huntington Beach residents Phyllis and Tom Hasty walk their dog around the park everyday and are familiar with the influx of RC vehicles, but it isn’t a problem, they said.

“Leave them alone. Let them run their cars,” Tom Hasty said.

Even without the possible addition to the ordinance, remote control drivers are already being turned away. At central park Thursday afternoon, an officer told citizens they couldn’t drive their toys and handed out a copy of the ordinance with the noise restriction in bold lettering.

Chuck LaGrone, a Huntington Beach resident, had just gotten to the park when he was told he couldn’t drive his vehicle. Standing in the parking lot overlooking where residents normally drive the vehicles, LaGrone said he will just go to another park.

“It sucks because it’s not like [the city is] going to do anything with the land ... and it’s not like we’re hurting anything,” he said.

Cuong Vu, an Anaheim resident, was also told he couldn’t drive he RC car Thursday, but thinks the ordinance amendment is a good idea — as long as he gets somewhere to drive his car.

“The point is, we have no place to play,” Vu said.

The City Council will vote to add a section to the city’s municipal code ordinance for parks, games and activities at 7 p.m. Monday in Council Chambers at the Civic Center on 2000 Main St.