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More restrictive parking rules for Nancy Guthrie neighborhood
The Pima County Department of Transportation has created a no parking zone on several streets in the Catalina Foothills Estates neighborhood surrounding the Nancy Guthrie residence as a further measure to protect public safety and relieve area residents from chaotic conditions caused by a large media and social media streamer presence in the area. The change goes into effect Feb. 26.
Background and current conditions
Dozens of media and “streamers” have been camped out on North Camino Escalante for several weeks after an intensive search began Feb. 1 for Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today Show host Savannah Guthrie. Nancy Guthrie was last seen Jan. 31. Streamers and media members have set up tents, generators, and sometimes satellite trucks along the road, creating severe congestion and safety concerns, and at times blockages of the quiet neighborhood road.
An attempt starting Feb. 21 to restrict North Camino Escalante to a one-way road to allow traffic flow but also accommodate the media and social streamers has not worked as hoped. Neighbors have continued to complain bitterly as they contend with continued clogged roads, trespassing, noise, and accumulating trash along the road.
Additionally, because of the one-way restriction, streamers and other members of the public have been parking on connecting roads and cul de sacs, spreading the congestion and safety concerns to other parts of the neighborhood. The neighborhood has narrow, unstriped streets that were not designed for on-street parking.
Temporary no parking zone
To protect public safety and restore the neighborhood to more normal conditions that allow access to the community for emergency vehicles and fire trucks, as well as service vehicles, such as school buses, trash trucks, and the postal service, the County has created a temporary no parking zone to be enforced by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Zone boundaries and duration
The zone encompasses the County-maintained roads between North Campbell Avenue on the east and North Camino Miraval on the west, and East Camino Miraval on the south and East Camino La Zorrela on the north. The parking restriction will remain in force until no longer needed.
Affected Roads:
- N. Camino Miraval
- E. Camino Miraval
- N. Campbell Avenue
- E. Camino La Zorrela
- N. Mina Vista
- N. Camino Escalante
- N. Camino El Ganado
This includes all connecting cul de sacs to the above streets. Some roads and cul de sacs in the area are private and the resident owners will need to coordinate with the Pima County Sheriff’s Office to prevent parking on their private streets.
Signage and enforcement
Signs will be placed at each intersection in the No Parking Zone to alert motorists that parking is not allowed in or along any road segment within the no parking zone. Violators will be ticketed and face a $250 fine.
Legal authority
The County Code allows the County Engineer to make traffic control changes for purposes of public safety, and
Pima County Ordinance 10.40.050(A) enables the Sheriff’s Department to ticket vehicles for violating the temporary restriction.
Media access and neighborhood guidance
Media will still be able to access the neighborhood and report from the public right of way. But media or streamers will have to access the neighborhood from a legal parking location outside of the zone, get dropped off, or use ridesharing or taxi services.
Residents in the no parking zone should alert any of their service companies about the parking restriction and that those vehicles will need to park in driveways. For instance, pool, exterminator, and landscaping services will need to avoid parking along the street in the zone during the temporary prohibition.
