HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated April 12, 1994 L�
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
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Item #
Date: April 12 19
SUBJECT: Alternate side parking prohibitions on 12th Street.
BACKGROUND:
The City has received a request from Myrna Elliott, 1113 Kellogg Avenue, to designate
alternate-side parking along 12th Street from Kellogg Avenue to Burnett Avenue.
Currently, parking is allowed on both sides of this 31' wide street. Due to the heavy
utilization of parking, she is concerned that access is restricted on 12th Street to
emergency vehicles. She reports that this access problem is compounded in the winter
when snow accumulations are present and the effective street width is reduced. This
situation affects Ms. Elliott because emergency vehicles may have to traverse 12th
Street in order to access the alley way behind her residence.
Staff agrees that an alternate side parking restriction should be designated along 12th
Street to improve traffic conditions and enhance safety. Due to the heavy utilization of
parking along both sides of this 31' wide street, traffic is limited to a one-way flow. This
presents a hazardous condition and limits access by police and emergency vehicles.
This is especially a problem when snow accumulations are present. During these
periods, the available street width for traffic may be reduced by 2 to 4 feet due to the
snow accumulations along the curb side. In the past, City crews have experienced
problems adequately removing the snow due to the heavy utilization of parking during
most periods of the day.
Staff believes that conditions should be improved by designating an alternate side
parking restriction from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on this street section. With this
designation, there would be an available 22' width for a two-way traffic flow when
parking is present only on one side. Also, maintenance and snow clearing activities
would be improved along this street since it will allow City crews to adequately clear and
maintain both sides of the street on succeeding days. This alternate-side parking
restriction with the change-over period is similar to the other alternate side parking
restrictions in the area.
Staff has sent approximately 30 notices to all residents and property owners in the area
informing them of the proposed change, and requesting input concerning this measure.
There were no responses received from property owners and residents opposing this
measure. However, there were several responses received from these residents
CAF - 12th St. Parking
April 12, 1994
Page 2
requesting that the City remove the parking meters along Kellogg Avenue to provide
additional free parking in the area. (Currently, the City has a rental agreement with the
Hospital that allows employees to park along this metered area during the afternoon
shift when their lot is full.) Attached is the notice sent to the property owners and
residents in the area.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Designate alternate-side parking restrictions with a 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
change over period on 12th Street between Kellogg Avenue and Burnett Avenue.
2. Do nothing and allow parking along both side of 12th Street between Kellogg
Avenue and Burnett Avenue.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION•
It is recommended by the City Manager that the City Council adopt alternative number
#1 above, thereby directing the City Attorney to draft an ordinance designating an
alternate-side parking restriction with a 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. change over period on
12th Street between Kellogg Avenue and Burnett Avenue.
COUNCIL ACTION•
Proposed Location for Alternate-side
Parking Prohibition
Hospital / Old Town Area
13th Street
McFarland
Clinic
- Mary Greeley «
— - HoSpite31 i 12ttt Street
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0 11 th Street
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1 Oth Street
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9th Street
8th Street
Proposed Location for Alternate-Side
Parking Restrictions
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i"'Ei CITY OF AMES
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P.O. BOX 811 AMES IOWA 50010
Community-University-Opportu nity
Public Works Department
515 Clark Avenue
P.O. Box 811
515-239-5160
March 14, 1994
Dear Property Owners and Residents:
Re: Proposed Alternate-Side Parking Prohibitions on 12th Street
The City Traffic Division staff will be proposing to designate an alternate-side parking restriction
on 12th Street between Burnett Avenue and Kellogg Avenue to improve traffic conditions. Due
to high utilization of parking along both sides of 12th Street, there is only sufficient width for a
one-lane traffic flow. This is a concern since there should be sufficient width for a two lane
facility to accommodate traffic, and provide an adequate width for fire and emergency vehicles. {
Currently with parking allowed on both sides of this 31' wide street, there is only a 15' travel
width available, or one lane of traffic. During winter periods when snow accumulations are
present, this width may be as narrow as 10 feet. By designating an alternate-side parking
restriction with parking only permitted along one-side of the street during daylight hours, there
should be adequate space for a 23' travel width, or two lanes of traffic. Also, by implementing
an alternate-side parking restriction on 12th Street, street maintenance and snow removal
activities will be improved. This will allow street crews the ability to remove snow and perform
street maintenance activities next to both curb sides on alternating days.
Staff will be proposing an alternate-side parking restriction between a 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
period which is similar to the alternate-side restrictions posted in the surrounding area. The
change-over period (when vehicles must be moved to the alternate side of the street) will be
from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. the following day.
In order to evaluate this measure, staff would like to receive input from property owners and
residents on 12th Street concerning this issue. Please contact me at 239-5275 if you have a
concern or need additional information about this measure. Staff is anticipating that this
measure will be presented to the City Council during their April 12, 1994 meeting.
Sincerely,
Scott Logan, P.E.
Traffic Engineer
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