Title
Resolution to Ratify the Pilot Project to Test Staggered Parking on Granger Avenue Between South State Street and Packard Street
Memorandum
City staff heard concerns from residents regarding speeding of motor vehicles on Granger Avenue between South State Street and Packard Street. Granger Avenue is a residential street, approximately 30 feet wide, with parking currently on the south side of the street only. Residents have previously inquired about traffic calming on Granger, however recent speed data indicated that the street would likely not meet the speed criteria to qualify for the Traffic Calming Program <http://www.a2gov.org/trafficcalming>.
This led staff to reach out to residents in July of 2017 regarding an alternative method of calming traffic, which could be implemented separately from the formal Traffic Calming Program. This idea consisted of staggering on-street parking on a block-by-block basis, such that cars would be parking on alternating sides of the street on each block. This stagger effect will create “friction” for drivers, and will likely result in lower speeds.
Residents were contacted via mail (see attached document) asking for their feedback on the proposed changes. Residents were asked whether the City should either implement the staggered parking concept, or not make any changes. A space was also provided for comments.
Twenty (20) survey cards were returned to the City. Of those, 12 selected the staggered parking as their preferred option; 6 selected no changes; and 2 did not select either option but provide comments. A full summary of results of the survey, with a complete listing of comments, is attached to this Resolution.
Based on the results of the survey, City staff proposed a pilot project to implement the staggered parking concept. This includes the installation of “No Parking” signs on the appropriate sides of the street, and also painted “parking blocks” on the pavement to temporarily reinforce the locations were parking is legal. Staff is treating this as a pilot project, and will seek feedback from the neighborhood in the spring of 2018 to help determine if the new parking configuration should be permanent.
Due to seasonal limitations on the installation of the pavement markings and availability of the contractor to install the markings, this work was performed on October 24, 2017. Missing this window would have delayed the implementation until the spring of 2018. Based on feedback from the Granger area residents, the implementation of the “No Parking” signs on alternating sides of the street will be delayed until the end of football season so as not to interfere with parking on private properties during game days.
Chapter 10 of City Code requires Council approval for the permanent or temporary restriction of parking for more than one block, and the temporary restriction of parking on the whole street is required in order to paint the “parking blocks” on the pavement. Therefore, the attached resolution is being submitted to City Council to ratify the temporary restriction of parking in order to implement the staggered parking pilot on Granger.
Budget/Fiscal Impact
The funding for this work, approximately $2,700.00 is available in the FY18 approved Major Street Fund Operations and Maintenance budget.
Staff
Prepared by: Nicholas Hutchinson, P.E., City Engineer
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Concerns have been heard by City staff from residents regarding speeding of motor vehicles on Granger Avenue between South State Street and Packard Street;
Whereas, Staff reached out to residents in July of 2017 regarding the implementation of staggering on-street parking to help address speeding concerns;
Whereas, Approximately two-thirds of the responding survey cards indicated a preference to implement the staggering on-street parking;
Whereas, Due to seasonal limitations, staff proceeded with installation of signs and pavement markings to pilot the staggered parking concept on October 24, 2017;
Whereas, Chapter 10 of City Code requires Council approval for the permanent or temporary restriction of parking for more than one block, and the temporary restriction of parking on the whole street is required in order to paint the temporary “parking blocks” on the pavement; and
Whereas, This work was completed using the existing operating budgets within the Major Street Fund.
RESOLVED, That City Council ratify the temporary restriction of parking on Granger Avenue between South State Street and Packard Street in order to implement a staggered parking pilot project; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Eaton and Krapohl