HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Action Form dated March 7, 1990 COUNCIL ACTION FORM
Item #
Date: March 7, 1990
SUBJECT: Restrict parking for all periods on the Ames High Drive median
strip.
BACKGROUND:
Ames High Drive is a City street in which parking restrictions have to be
made through City ordinance. Ames High School administrators have
requested this parking restriction to improve the traffic flow and circula-
tion in front of the school. Problems are currently being experienced
especially during the night events when traffic is snarled because of the
parked vehicles along the median strip and the loading/unloading activities
in the other lanes. Currently parking is restricted in these lanes along
the median strip from from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. , Monday through
Friday. Administrators indicate that this parking area is typically not
needed and sufficient parking is available in the parking lot. Grass areas
are used for parking during football games to handle the excess number of
vehicles.
By restricting parking for all periods, these lanes could be used for
through traffic which would alleviate the congestion during the night
events. Also the restriction would provide additional pedestrian safety by
removing parked vehicles that restrict sighting of pedestrians crossing the
street.
Also future improvements to traffic flow and circulation on Ames High
Drive would be possible by implementing this parking restriction. Direc-
tional flow could be changed from a current one-way flow to a two-way
flow in front of the high school because of the additional designated
through lanes. Two-way flow would not only improve the circulation and
accessibility of this drive, but also allow less concentrated movements from
the Ridgewood/20th Street approaches during peak periods. This change
would have to be implemented in the summer after Ames High Drive is
resurfaced. Signage, median cuts, and street markings then would be
placed on the street to direct the returning students in the fall.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Restrict parking for all periods by ordinance along the Ames High
Drive median strip.
2. Deny the request.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommended by the City Manager that the City Council adopt alter-
native number 1 above, and direct the City Attorney to prepare an
ordinance restricting parking on the Ames High Drive median strip for all
periods.
COUNCIL ACTION
Revl:SL