TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
John Jalili, Interim City Manager
FROM:
Richard Thomspon, Director of Community Development
Jason Masters, Assistant Planner
Erik Zandvliet, Traffic Engineer
SUBJECT:Title
Consider an On-Street Parking Space located at 4th Place East of Bayview Drive (Community Development Director Thompson).
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council accept the presentation and provide direction.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Changes to the traffic markings and/or signage can be funded through existing Public Works Department operating budget.
BACKGROUND:
On August 6, 2013, the City Council discussed the City’s current practices and policies regarding beach area street parking. After hearing the current process for the installation and removal of street spaces, the City Council voted unanimously to direct the City Manager to work with staff to determine if a parking space can be installed on 4th Place east of Bayview Drive on either side. This report is a follow-up to that direction by City Council. (Attachments 4 and 5)
In 2004, two work orders associated with the installation of the parking space adjacent to 217 4th Place were issued. The first work order, dated February 12, 2004, requested the initial installation of an 18' parking space delineated with parking tees and an 8' painted red pavement marking to the west of the parking space. The second work order, dated March 31, 2004, requested a 3' supplemental red pavement marking to be installed just east of the newly marked parking space adjacent to the property's front entrance. No other records were found to determine if there was a citizen request or a staff evaluation for the installation of the parking space.
In June 2012, the City received a Traffic Request from Ms. Mary Anderson, owner and occupant of 217 4th Place to evaluate and remove an existing on-street public parking space adjacent to the front of her home on the north side of 4th Place just east of Bayview Drive. Staff reviewed Ms. Anderson's request and based on the Traffic Engineer's evaluation, staff could not support removing the subject on-street parking space. The Traffic Engineer concluded parking spaces were already limited, and the parking space was consistent with the City's practice, therefore, the request was denied. A second review by the Director of Community Development resulted in the same conclusion.
On October 19, 2012, Ms. Anderson filed an Appeal of an Administrative Action to the Parking and Public Improvements Commission appealing staff's evaluation to deny the removal and/or relocation of the subject parking space adjacent to 217 4th Place. Due to the pending appeal, Public Works was directed to refrain from reinstalling the pavement markings (parking tees and red striping) for the subject parking space after the previous markings were covered by a recently completed slurry seal project in the Sand Section.
On December 6, 2012, the Parking and Public Improvements Commission held a public meeting to consider an Appeal of an Administrative Action by Ms. Anderson and Mr. Peter Goodwin opposed to Staff’s decision. After full consideration and hearing public testimony, the Commission recommended retaining and moving the subject on-street parking space westerly a small amount and installing red striping in front of the walkway to 217 4th Place to better facilitate access to the property (3-2 vote, Adami and Stabile dissenting).
On March 6, 2013, the City Council conducted an additional public hearing to consider the Commission’s recommendation and provide an opportunity to hear from the appellants. After hearing public testimony and reviewing additional documentation submitted by the appellants, the City Council voted 5-0 to remove the existing parking space adjacent to 217 4th Place.
A more detailed discussion of the background is provided in the March 6, 2013, City Council Staff Report No. 13-0069 available on the City’s website www.citymb.info <http://www.citymb.info>.
DISCUSSION:
Public roadways are open for public use and the needs of all users must be considered on an equal basis, including those wishing to utilize public parking spaces. Public on-street parking is very limited within the City, especially in the Coastal Zone. It is the City's policy as well as the Local Coastal Program policy to make every effort to preserve existing public on-street parking spaces.
Currently, parking is prohibited on the north side of 4th Place adjacent to 217 4th Place (Attachment 1). The remainder of the north side between Bayview Drive and Highland Avenue is posted with “NO PARKING IN FRONT OR OPPOSITE DRIVEWAYS OR CARPORTS” restrictions. The south side of 4th Place is posted with “NO PARKING THIS SIDE” restrictions (Attachment 2). As a result, there are no public parking spaces on 4th Place between Bayview Drive and Highland Drive. However, the residents at 225 and 227 4th Street can park on the north side opposite their own garage.
Traffic Engineer's Evaluation
In January 2013, the current City Traffic Engineer conducted an independent evaluation of the original request to remove the parking space in front of 217 4th Place. The City Traffic Engineer based his evaluation on his professional engineering judgment along with the following general practices:
1. The number of public parking spaces should be maintained and increased wherever possible for the benefit of the public.
2. Due to the unique traffic conditions of every street, street-parking restrictions shall be considered on a case-by-case basis.
3. Only current parking and traffic conditions should be considered in the evaluation of public parking spaces.
4. Streets in the Sand and Dune sections of the City should maintain a minimum 10' wide travel lane without obstructions.
5. A minimum 24' back-up distance should be provided at private driveways.
6. When parking restrictions are posted, they should be posted in a similar manner to maintain consistency with driver expectation.
7. Parking may be prohibited to provide greater sight distance or necessary turning radius at intersections at the discretion of the Traffic Engineer.
8. Parking should not block access to a private walkway in areas where the street parking directly abuts the property line.
9. Parking restrictions may be considered if parking is a factor in a recurring collision history.
10. Illegal or improper parking activity shall not be a factor in considering parking restrictions.
11. The City will consider changes to parking restrictions pursuant to a petition of the majority of residents on the affected street section.
Based on the above evaluation and guidelines, the current Traffic Engineer supports the previous conclusions of staff and the Parking and Public Improvements Commission to have a public parking space on the north side of 4th Place adjacent to 217 4th Place (Attachment 3). The Traffic Engineer also considered the possibility of relocating the public parking space to the south side of 4th Place, and concluded that the conditions on the south side of 4th Place are similar to those on the north side, (i.e. one space along property line between Bayview Drive to the west and a private walkway to the east). Therefore, there were no overriding reasons that parking on the south side would be superior to the north side. Furthermore, parking along the south side would be inconsistent with the majority of parking prohibitions in the Sand Section, which generally prohibit parking on the south side.
However, The City Traffic Engineer does not object to the installation of an on-street parking space on the south side east of Bayview Drive adjacent to 400 Bayview Drive. While street parking on Bayview Drive is not recommended by the Fire Department, the Fire Chief does not object to the installation of an on-street parking space on “Place” streets, such as 4th Place as proposed. (Attachment 6)
Public Hearing Notice
By way of mailed notices, all properties within 500 feet of the subject location have been notified of tonight's meeting (Attachment 7).
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council hear public testimony and provide direction.
Attachments:
1. Site Photos
2. Location Map with Parking Restrictions
3. Proposed Parking Space on North Side of 4th Place
4. Beach Area Street Parking Staff Report from Meeting of 08/06/13
5. Minutes from Meeting of 08/06/13
6. Fire Chief Espinosa’s Memo regarding 4th Place Parking
7. Public Meeting Notice